Language and Symbolic Power

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This volume compiles Pierre Bourdieu’s original writings on language and its connections to power and politics. He critiques traditional linguistic theories, including those of Saussure and Chomsky, as well as Austin's speech-act theory. Bourdieu posits that language functions not merely as a communication tool but as a medium of power, enabling individuals to pursue interests and demonstrate practical competence. Utilizing his unique theoretical framework, Bourdieu argues that linguistic expressions arise from the interplay between a "linguistic market" and "linguistic habitus." When individuals communicate, they draw on their linguistic resources, tailoring their language to meet the expectations of their social audience. Thus, every linguistic exchange, regardless of its apparent triviality, reflects and reinforces the underlying social structure. His analysis reveals how language use varies by factors such as class and gender, while also providing insights into its political implications. Politics, he contends, is a domain where words carry weight and the symbolic nature of power is crucial. This work represents a significant contribution to understanding language and power, appealing to students across social sciences and humanities, particularly in sociology, politics, anthropology, linguistics, and literature.