Discussion – Language and Power

Discussion – Language and Power

It is vital to understand that being in a position to communicate is dissimilar to having language. Therefore, when an individual says they have language, it implies that they are in a position to communicate in a way that other persons can understand. Language gains potency when it is understood by an extensive community rather than those surrounding an individual. The more powerful a language is, the more independence and freedom one gets, and it gives one a reason to contribute to the community. Crucially, language is not just the only vital communication component because it is a crucial identity aspect. In this case, the words that an individual chooses become an integral part of who you are in general. Using inclusive language in the workplace bolsters the feeling of being respected and even valued. It facilitates a happier and better work environment that makes people feel more comfortable, which drives organizational performance. For instance, Jeremy works as a supervisor in a local shop that sells electronic appliances and supervises eighteen workers. He takes some time to motivate them by using inclusive language. Rather than saying “hey fellas” or “hey guys” when he begins addressing them before the work begins, he says “hello team,” which in essence shows togetherness that would ensure their working would be as one unit and not as fragments of a team. Besides, using language helps him harness the power essential in the workplace to promote efficacy in the work environment. With this knowledge in mind, it suffices to maintain that language and power are closely interlinked when it comes to the professional setting of the workplace. Our assignment writing help is at affordable prices to students of all academic levels and academic disciplines.

Undoubtedly, reading and even writing form a vital element in our everyday lives, given that language is the core tool for expressing and communicating what we want. Studying the usage of language by people and what words they use unconsciously goes a long way in helping us understand ourselves. It is only natural that one may assume that people in positions of influence are more inclined to use singular pronouns. However, in a study, it was found that the higher an individual is in status, the less they use the singular pronoun. Conversely, the lower an individual is in society, the more they are inclined to use the “I” words (Rodríguez, 2015). Therefore, it suffices to maintain that this is the language of status and power, which shows where persons are giving their attention. A high-ranking individual looks outward to the world, while a low-status individual focuses on the inward.

It is imperative to understand that core values such as honesty, creativity, and professionalism go a long way in ensuring that an individual can harness the full use of language and power in the workplace. For companies to gradually evolve and develop further, there must be honesty. In this case, employees’ voices need to be heard, and their truths should never be swept under the rug or essentially dismissed as they are an integral part of the company. Making room for an honest atmosphere bolsters a self-accountability environment and responsibility as well. When an environment is honest and transparent, the employees will be happy. As such, when they are happy, their productivity rises as well. In the long term, honesty fosters trust in the company and confidence in the leadership. By voicing the truth, everyone can identify the issue that would hamper the company’s success and bolster teamwork. As such, when a leader also chooses to be honest and transparent with workers under their leadership, they can therefore use language in the workplace better to positively use their power in advancing the short and long-term goals of the organization.

Virtually every problem that people deal with when it comes to businesses is often complex. However, collaboration is always a productive tool in solving the problems associated with this. Still, there are numerous cases in which some team members were not productive in collaboration. In the work environment, when people have their differences, they do not work to ensure they reach a shared understanding, and they make a speedy usage of words that is often careless, which further divides them. It is pertinent to understand that values are a beacon of our general behaviors (Hodson, 2009). As such, it is possible to develop tools and processes that develop a shared understanding. This is feasible for groups working together, especially when they desire to get to higher standards. In this case, language can be an essential tool in identifying them and providing a definition. The essence is to develop definitions, which allow members of this group to check on their collective behavior.

Lastly, language and its powerful influence are complex. The choice of words we use to communicate conveys just as much as the real intention of the message. The kind of words we use, such as “I guess,” and “maybe we can…” set the tone of what one is speaking. As such, they reduce the worthiness of what one is saying, putting doubt in the hearer’s mind that will inadvertently undermine what you want to say. In some cases, it may change power dynamics, affecting how one connects with their team member. It is essential to remember that before women had their rights, their manners were deemed vital. It may suggest why women are often dismissive of praises that come their way, given that from a legal perspective, they are property. A woman could refrain from being too direct or bossy. For instance, when they use emotive language, they may be seen as “drama queens.” Gender-based insults are a challenge (Eckert & McConnell-Ginet, 2013). It is often used in the workplace, which virtually stereotypes people in using this word. It is therefore clear that language is a powerful tool that can make or break. Women may have a problem speaking their minds or refrain from speaking their minds because the language may work against them. As such, it is imperative to understand that language is powerful.

In conclusion, using language helps people harness the power essential in the workplace to promote efficacy in the work environment. However, the potency of language makes it dangerous if not used appropriately. With this knowledge in mind, it suffices to maintain that language and power are closely interlinked when it comes to the professional setting of the workplace.

References

Eckert, P., & McConnell-Ginet, S. (2013). Language and gender. Cambridge University Press.

Hodson, D. (2009). Teaching and learning about science: Language, theories, methods, history, traditions, and values. Brill.

Rodríguez, C. (2015). The connection between language and the world: A paradox of the Linguistic Turn? Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, 49(1), 89-103.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

For this final project, you will continue with the social issue that you selected (language and power; freedom and security; health and wealth) and you will write an essay where you discuss your perspective. You will use the ideas and information from the summary response and the quote log to write your case study. You will submit a first draft and a revised draft of this assignment.

Content

Describe a “real life” instance of your selected social issue in a professional or a personal setting.
Discuss your perspective on your selected social issue, including the reasons for your viewpoint.
Discuss how your core values inform or influence your perspective on your selected social issue.
Demonstrate that you are really thinking about your issue—don’t settle for easy answers, don’t pretend that conflicting evidence doesn’t exist, and don’t feel that you have to take an either-or position.
Discuss the complexities of your selected social issue. For example, do not just conclude that using academic language is always good, that government surveillance is always bad, or that wealth automatically leads to health. Think about the intricacies of these issues and how they play out in everyday life.
Organization

Include an introductory paragraph, where you clearly outline a “real-life” instance of your social issue and give a thesis statement that indicates your perspective (see Part 2: Writing Your Introduction for an example).
Include three body paragraphs where you include details, examples, and quotes from at least three of the course readings to help you develop and support your key points (see Part 3: Writing Your Body Paragraphs. for an example).
Include one body paragraph where you discuss how your core values inform or influence your perspective on your selected social issue (see Part 3: Writing Your Body Paragraphs. for an example).
End your essay with a concluding paragraph where you restate your thesis, summarize your key points, and leave the reader with the “so what?” ( see Part 4: Writing Your Conclusion for an example).