How we speak, what we say, and when we are heard are all crucial aspects of our place in the world. These publications examine some of the many aspects of linguistics related to race and power around the world.
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Karen Stollznow, On the Offensive. ‘And yet, when we talk about being offended we use the same metaphorical language to express emotional distress that we use to describe physical pain. According to figures of speech, we can suffer from a broken heart as much as a broken bone, we can nurse our wounded pride as much as a wounded leg, and we can talk about having bruised feelings as well as a bruised knee.’Read a free chapter
Claire Kramsch, Language as Symbolic Power ‘Symbolic power is different from physical coercion, economic domination or colonial oppression. It is the power to construct social reality by creating and using symbols that give meaning to the social world.’
Janet McIntosh and Norma Mendoza-Denton, Language in the Trump Era ‘…language in the era of Donald Trump seems less about describing reality than about thick fingered manipulation: ‘We have said it, and thus have made it so.’ Precedent and previous use matter less than the reality-generating properties and the bluster of words.’
