Language, culture and power

This unit explores the relationship between language and culture, and how this relationship impacts one’s place and social mobility in society. You will learn how one’s language and language use may be linked to social, regional and ethnic factors, among others, and then unpack tensions between these factors. You will discover how attitudes, ideologies and values influence the use and interpretation of language and culture and how language can be linked to concepts like the perceived attributes of speakers and groups. This enables you to challenge assumptions behind concepts like ‘standard’ language and ‘appropriate’ language and to recognise how the answer of who gets to say what how is often determined by power. You will then demonstrate the practical implications of language, culture and power for communication in the workplace and the wider community.