Power in language
How language use reflects, creates, and maintains power relationships between people. Powerful speakers control language choices, interruptions, and topics.
Real World
Research by sociologist Don Zimmerman found male speakers interrupted female speakers far more frequently in mixed-sex conversations, reflecting broader social power imbalances.
Exam Focus
Name a specific theorist (Fairclough, Coates, Zimmerman) when discussing power; vague claims about 'powerful language' rarely score top marks.
How well did you know this?