Language can be a form of cultural capital that is used to reinforce power dynamics that are established by a culture's institutions. What is the kind of language used to establish this "norm" against which all speakers are judged called?

Question

Social Studies

Kody Callahan

17 May, 04:15

Language can be a form of cultural capital that is used to reinforce power dynamics that are established by a culture's institutions. What is the kind of language used to establish this "norm" against which all speakers are judged called?

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Louis Barrett · Answer 1

Answer: Hegemonic language.

The concept of hegemony was developed by Antonio Gramsci and it refers to a geopolitical method of indirect political dominance.

In the context of language, a hegemonic language can cause linguistic dominance, by asserting itself above all other languages. It can also reinforce power dynamics that have already been established by the culture's institutions. As such, it can be a form of embodied cultural capital.