Powerful and Powerless Language - Legacee



• Theory/Principle:

Powerful and Powerless Language (Textbook pg.95-96)

As we speak, many of us use tag questions—for example, “Let’s go to the movies, okay?” –in making simple statements. We also use hedges—“kinda” and “I think”—or disclaimers such as “I probably shouldn’t say this” and “I’m not really sure.” In examining seven message types of differing power, Baeadac and Mulac (1984) found that the language forms just described as well as hesitations such as “uh” and “well” are perceived by•• other people as forms of powerless and ineffective speech on the other hand, speech free of such usage is considered both powerful and effective.

A more recent study explored the relationship between language style and gender stereotypes (Quina et al., 1987). Researchers found that individuals using a so-called feminine style of speech characterized by politeness, exaggeration, hedging, and illogical sequence—one that as generally nonassertive—were perceived as having greater warmth but less competence than those having a “masculine” style. The authors remind us that “a polite, warm linguistic style is not consistent with the popular image of American corporate success or achievement” (p.118). Nonetheless, qualities associated with a feminine style included sensitivity, friendliness, and sincerity.

In general, communicators who use a powerful style are considered more competent and attractive. Legal situations are different, however; plaintiffs and perhaps because they seem “in control” of themselves. Less powerful speakers are more often seen as victims (Bradac et al., 1981)

But it is not always the language itself that reveals who is powerful: The information provided by context as well as the personalities of those involved must also be considered. For example, the boss who asks the secretary to type something, by using several powerless forms such as hesitations, hedges, and tag questions, may appear polite and social—not powerless—even though he or she makes the request sound less like a demand (Bradac, 1983) [1]

Great background description Ryan

• The Situation (context) in which you are applying the theory

I had a presentation at Korean Politics class today (07/12/2004) and I used some powerful languages and some powerless languages. According to the theory, it is essential to use both styles in our lives. Some times, powerful language is effective, but powerless languages are also effective in some situations. I believed that such an in-class presentation would be very good chance for me to practice these two styles of language usages. It is because, at a presentation a speaker has much opportunity to speak out, listen, and respond to the audiences.

• Desired Goal or Objective

My truly wanted to have a great presentation. I desired that powerful and powerless languages could help my presentation effectively so that I can tell the audiences beneficial information.

• Measurement Indicator(s)

I ask some people at the class to evaluate my presentation objectively. Yoon-jung, Bo-mi, Jae, and Professor Sun-hyuk Kim were the main listeners.

• How to Apply

The presentation was about Chung-hee Park who was the President of South Korea from 1963 to 1979. When I explained some general facts and described some incidents, I used powerful languages. On the other hands, when I talked about his personal life and analysis, I used some powerless languages.

• Number of times you are going to practice

I practiced more than three times. It means I actually had the thirty minutes long presentation for three times before I had the real presentation at the class. I once did in front of my family and I also practiced in front of the mirror in my room.

• Actual Results

I believe that it was successful presentation. However, since my first language is not English, I had a hard time to speak with powerless languages. According to my research in this powerful and powerless language theory, I came to know that people can use the powerless languages when he/she is very accustomed to the language. Using “uh”, “well”, and “kinda” (examples from the text) are not formal English that I learned from school. Rather, some polite and strong formal English was much easier for me to speak than powerless-informal English. Other students and the professor felt in the same way.

• Conclusion: Plus and Delta

I once more realized that languages are very important for one person to lead a group. Especially, when a person speaks a foreign language in a certain situation, it is better to speak correctly and use powerful languages. If it is the formal situation, it is crucial to use powerful languages. However, when we talk to our friends or people who want to be friends with you, you may use powerless languages. If you also use powerful languages in these kinds of situations, you may feel very strange or make other people uncomfortable.

There is an adage that I always think of: “Wherever the Sun shines, there must be a shadow.” Powerful language and powerless language are opposite but both are important in human communication. As I practiced through the assignment, I felt that it is very essential to use either of them in a proper situation. A person who can speak powerful language in a right time will be a powerful person; a person who can speak powerless language in a proper time will be a friendly, sociable, and polite person in a certain group.

Depending on your audience, one style will work better. For example, if you were speaking to an American audience, the powerful style works better at persuasion and establishing yourself as an expert.

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[1] Stewart L. Tubbs and Sylvia Moss, Human Communication Principles and Contexts, Mc Graw Hill, Chapter 3, The Verbal Message p. 95, 96

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