Language as a Symbol of Power and Authority

Read More About Language

In addition to tone and behavior, language is an indicator of authority in most cultures. Japan provides a good example of the way language is used to establish authority.

In Japan power becomes obvious through nonverbal symbols such as bowing, as was pointed out earlier, but vocabulary is also an indicator of power. The Japanese society is a hierarchical society. The language subordinates use differs from the language superiors use. The vocabulary can be quite different, and everyone is aware of the connotations of words. For example, when a manager addresses subordinate men, he will add the suffix kun to the name rather than the respectful san (the equivalent to Mr.). The subordinate will address the superior with the last name and title or the title and san. For example, the boss will call the employee Nakasone-kun, but Mr. Nakasone will call the boss Abekacho (Abe being the name of the boss and kacho meaning section chief).

Address reflects one's standing in the group. This is emphasized even more by using a person's title or position plus san rather than the name plus the title. In this situation the boss is not Abekacho but kachosan, not Tanakabucho (department head) but buchosan. This practice is carried over into family relationships. A boy will call his older brother anisan, older brother, rather than Wako and call his older sister onisan rather than Noriko. In a way the person loses his or her individual identity and takes on an identity in relation to his or her position in the group.

Lately, several Japanese companies have started to move against extreme status consciousness in addressing people. They are promoting the use of the suffix san for everyone regardless of position. Nakasone-kun would become Nakasone-san, and Abekacho would become Abe-san. It is interesting to note that the Japanese, who have emphasized group membership by pointing out that everyone from president to storeroom clerk wears the same uniform, are now talking about the need to equalize the language. The United States is cited as a positive example in this effort.

The examples above indicate that to use correct language one needs to know where one stands in the hierarchy. Different groups use different vocabulary. For an outsider it may be difficult to notice the variations, as the following example shows. In addition to tone and behavior, language is an indicator of authority in most cultures. Japan provides a good example of the way language is used to establish authority.

In Japan power becomes obvious through nonverbal symbols such as bowing, as was pointed out earlier, but vocabulary is also an indicator of power. The Japanese society is a hierarchical society. The language subordinates use differs from the language superiors use. The vocabulary can be quite different, and everyone is aware of the connotations of words. For example, when a manager addresses subordinate men, he will add the suffix kun to the name rather than the respectful san (the equivalent to Mr.). The subordinate will address the superior with the last name and title or the title and san. For example, the boss will call the employee Nakasone-kun, but Mr. Nakasone will call the boss Abekacho (Abe being the name of the boss and kacho meaning section chief).

Address reflects one's standing in the group. This is emphasized even more by using a person's title or position plus san rather than the name plus the title. In this situation the boss is not Abekacho but kachosan, not Tanakabucho (department head) but buchosan. This practice is carried over into family relationships. A boy will call his older brother anisan, older brother, rather than Wako and call his older sister onisan rather than Noriko. In a way the person loses his or her individual identity and takes on an identity in relation to his or her position in the group.

Lately, several Japanese companies have started to move against extreme status consciousness in addressing people. They are promoting the use of the suffix san for everyone regardless of position. Nakasone-kun would become Nakasone-san, and Abekacho would become Abe-san. It is interesting to note that the Japanese, who have emphasized group membership by pointing out that everyone from president to storeroom clerk wears the same uniform, are now talking about the need to equalize the language. The United States is cited as a positive example in this effort.

The examples above indicate that to use correct language one needs to know where one stands in the hierarchy. Different groups use different vocabulary. For an outsider it may be difficult to notice the variations, as the following example shows.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Drive from: slide phone for you. In addition to tone and behavior, language is an indicator of authority in most cultures. Want to know more click free articles.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Language Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Culture & Society | Language

Our other websites
All about SEO
Beauty Tips Forum

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Submit Articles
Member Login
Link Us
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Sitemap

New Stuff
About Us
Developer
Good shopping portal
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service