ATS3329 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. We show how one’s language and language use may be linked to social, regional and ethnic factors, among others, and we unpack tensions between these factors. We highlight how attitudes, ideologies and values influence the use and interpretation of linguistic and cultural practices--be the oral, written, digital or otherwise--and how variation might be linked to concepts like politeness, appropriateness or perceived social attributes of speakers. 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.