Use of Linguistic Markets to Promote Divisive Forms of Nationalism
Location
Center for Library Instruction, Joseph P. Healey Library (4th Floor), University of Massachusetts Boston
Start Date
29-4-2015 12:55 PM
End Date
29-4-2015 1:10 PM
Description
Language often represents a perfect target for regimes with divisive nationalistic ideals to exploit. Pierre Bourdieu coined the term ‘linguistic market’ to describe how certain forms of communication are given more ‘capital’ or are of more value to a speaker than others in a particular social situation. In the linguistic market the language of the elite holds the most prestige. This allows an elite regime to establish a hierarchy whereby those considered “competent” in the language are at the top of the hierarchy and those who use subordinate forms of communication are at the bottom. Bourdieu uses the example of France to illustrate how the linguistic market is regulated and what it means to be competent speaking the language with the most value on the linguistic market. By attributing more value to the Castilian language on the linguistic market, the Castilians were able to establish not only their language but also their culture as being representative of Spain. It can be argued that the linguistic market can be used by nationalistic regimes to regulate what Foucault refers to as, “true discourse”. Lastly, how the dynamics of the linguistic market are persevered and equalized by multiculturalism and pluriculturalism, respectively.
Use of Linguistic Markets to Promote Divisive Forms of Nationalism
Center for Library Instruction, Joseph P. Healey Library (4th Floor), University of Massachusetts Boston
Language often represents a perfect target for regimes with divisive nationalistic ideals to exploit. Pierre Bourdieu coined the term ‘linguistic market’ to describe how certain forms of communication are given more ‘capital’ or are of more value to a speaker than others in a particular social situation. In the linguistic market the language of the elite holds the most prestige. This allows an elite regime to establish a hierarchy whereby those considered “competent” in the language are at the top of the hierarchy and those who use subordinate forms of communication are at the bottom. Bourdieu uses the example of France to illustrate how the linguistic market is regulated and what it means to be competent speaking the language with the most value on the linguistic market. By attributing more value to the Castilian language on the linguistic market, the Castilians were able to establish not only their language but also their culture as being representative of Spain. It can be argued that the linguistic market can be used by nationalistic regimes to regulate what Foucault refers to as, “true discourse”. Lastly, how the dynamics of the linguistic market are persevered and equalized by multiculturalism and pluriculturalism, respectively.
Comments
Daniel T. McManus (Biology Department)