Powerless language
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Hanna Pishwa
Abstract
This paper brings together two different approaches to the analysis of hedges. They are viewed in linguistics as procedural cues relating to the propositional or phrasal contents and their cognitive counterparts. In social psychology, they are interpreted at an interpersonal level as powerlessness markers attributing lack of control and power to the speaker. A comparison of these approaches resulted in the finding that some usages of hedges can be interpreted as unintended interpersonal implicatures weakening speaker traits and persuasive force. A further function is intentional and strategic as in political speech. A third usage is appropriate fuzziness caused by hedges, whereby the hedged expression exhibits accuracy higher than an explicit statement.
Abstract
This paper brings together two different approaches to the analysis of hedges. They are viewed in linguistics as procedural cues relating to the propositional or phrasal contents and their cognitive counterparts. In social psychology, they are interpreted at an interpersonal level as powerlessness markers attributing lack of control and power to the speaker. A comparison of these approaches resulted in the finding that some usages of hedges can be interpreted as unintended interpersonal implicatures weakening speaker traits and persuasive force. A further function is intentional and strategic as in political speech. A third usage is appropriate fuzziness caused by hedges, whereby the hedged expression exhibits accuracy higher than an explicit statement.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The expression of inequality in interaction. Power, dominance and status 1
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Part I. Focus on third persons
- Representing inequality in language 17
- Sexual network partners in Tanzania 49
- A “rape victim” by any other name 81
- Unveiling the phantom of the "Islamic takeover" 105
- Power eliciting elements at the semantic-pragmatic interface 143
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Part II. Focus on speaker/author
- Powerless language 165
- A true authoritarian type 193
- We and I , and you and them 213
- Language, normativity and power 239
- Subject index 265
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- The expression of inequality in interaction. Power, dominance and status 1
-
Part I. Focus on third persons
- Representing inequality in language 17
- Sexual network partners in Tanzania 49
- A “rape victim” by any other name 81
- Unveiling the phantom of the "Islamic takeover" 105
- Power eliciting elements at the semantic-pragmatic interface 143
-
Part II. Focus on speaker/author
- Powerless language 165
- A true authoritarian type 193
- We and I , and you and them 213
- Language, normativity and power 239
- Subject index 265
