Language, power, and intergroup relations

Language is a communication medium for turning a power base into influence. But more than that, the creation of power and its maintenance or change ca rt also occur in and through language. In the present article, we discuss s ome of the dynamic links between language and power to underscore their rel evance to the study of intergroup relations. In particular we address the m eans by which low-power groups might achieve power, and how those who are i n high-power positions might retain and subvert acts of power, In doing thi s, we counterpose our discussion with research that addresses these same is sues from a static and individualistic approach to power. Our central argum ent is that the latter work lacks theoretical facility for describing and u nderstanding the aforementioned dynamic processes of power, and moreover, t hat its application may unwittingly serve to reify and cement existing cont rol relationships.