This week in class we have discussed the relationship between language and power. We did spend more time with Tannen’s article, but could you relate the multiple definitions and relationship of language and power presented in Talbot et al. introduction (Monday reading) and Tannen’s work? who do you think gets heard and why?
(Although it was a bit hard understanding Talbot’s article, I’ll try my best to do this.)
According to the reading by Talbot and the one by Tannen, I think those that get heard are the ones with power. It doesn’t have to be power in the sense of someone in a high position such as CEO. It can be a manager or a pilot. In other words, those that get heard are the ones with more authority. They get heard because of the way they talk. They tend to use a certain tone and language when talking to others and are confident in their speech. For example, in Tannen’s reading, she talks about a pilot and copilot and their conservation. Though the pilot had little experience flying in that certain weather, he was controlling the whole thing and was more calm and confident whereas the copilot, the one with a little more experience, was panicking and was being indirect. Those with power or authority tend to be direct and prefer directness. Overall, those that get heard are the ones who have power but are not necessarily in a high position. As mentioned before, it can be either a CEO or a manager. Their words have more meaning to those “below” them.
According to last weeks readings i think the people who get heard are people in higher positions. the people who speak up and take initiative are the ones that get heard in my opinion. i don’t think its based on gender i think its based off who has the more confidence to speak their mind. i think this is because the way they talk. for example the tone in their voice or the words (vocabulary) they use.
Talbot and Tannen talks about the ones who has power gets heard of more. They talk more formally and more standard. But that doesn’t mean they have to be famous or popular. It could be the pilots in Tannen’s reading and not only just well known people.
I believe that anyone can present themselves to be heard. One thing that occurred to me from both presentations was that saying, “it’s not what you say, but how you say it”. Combining how you say something along with the way you present yourself, it is possible to give yourself an image of being in a position of power or authority. However, what you say and the validity of what is being said can determine or disperse the authority that is attempting to be presented.
The both readings in a way both speak about power. I believe that those who take initiative and have “power” in a job facility to say or just power above anyone, will be heard first. Not always does it have to do with gender and who is dominant in the work space. It all goes back to power and the way you present yourself when you speak, the vocabulary you use, and how you make yourself look.