Psychology 409B: The Unity Model of Marriage  1/26/06

Power and Solidarity in 5 Linguistic Strategies

By Carly Kanemaru

I.  Introduction

-Many various language strategies exist and thus, lead to multiple meanings and can be comprehended in a various fashion.

-5 language strategies are focused on and display the way each opposing view can also demonstrate both power and solidarity.

II.  The Five Strategies

A. Indirectness

1. Two benefits are linked to indirectness:  Defensiveness and Rapport.

a. Defensiveness- Leaves the speaker an option to adopt or reject an idea should it not result in a positive reaction.  Allows the speaker to obtain power through remaining neutral.

b. Rapport- Places the speaker with solidarity in vaguely identifying with the other party, providing mutual understanding.

c.

B. Interruption

1. Often referred to as a sign of dominance

2. On the contrary, some individuals actively participate in conversation as a means of showing undivided attention and interest.

-Interruption may occur in an attempt to achieve solidarity rather than power. 

                        3.  Balance is key!!!

                                    -A struggle for power occurs when one repeatedly overlaps and the other repeatedly gives away speaking position.

                                    -Solidarity is achieved when both either avoid or participate in overlapping equally resulting in no forms of domination.

C.  Silence versus Volubility

1.  Talking is often associated with power and the silent are viewed as powerless and submissive.

                                    Example:  Outlawing a native language from being spoken when that is a person’s only known means of communicating resulting in loss of power.

                        2.  Silence also represents power.

                                    Example:  Dr. James not speaking to his wife after a fight when she desires him to address her displays his disapproval, discontentment and transfers

his negative emotions onto her resulting in an exchange of power.  The subjugating of his wife is carried out through silence.

D.  Topic Raising

1. The party who raises the topic is associated with a strive for dominance in the conversation and thus power.

2. Tannen points out that the topic raiser often tends to be the passive party in the conversation, often seeking input from the other.

-The topic raiser also often listens in great detail to the information being brought up by the topic created.

E.  Adversativeness: Conflict and Verbal Aggression

1.  Males often found more likely to engage in conflict

                        2.  Females often found more likely to avoid conflict.

                        3.  Males- Fighting (conflict in a struggle for power) is a way of developing solidarity among others.

                        4.  Females- Power is obtained through solidarity within one another.

Related Links

Deborah Tannen’s home page includes her other published works in her pursuit for links between linguistics and the impact on others.

http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/tannend/

This site informs on the various ways of communication and the way to listen as well as speak effectively.

http://www.health.umd.edu/fsap/communication.html

Reviews Tannen’s notes on communication tactics between males and females including some of the 5 linguistic strategies discussed in my outline.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5280.html

My Home page:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409bs2006/kanemaru/kanemaru-home.htm

Class Home Page

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy24/classhome-g24.htm