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Reconsidering power and distance

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Spencer-Oatey, Helen. (1996) Reconsidering power and distance. Journal of Pragmatics, Vol.26 (No.1). pp. 1-24. ISSN 0378-2166

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-2166(95)00047-X

Abstract

A wide range of studies indicate that power and distance affect the production and interpretation of language. However, this paper argues that greater consideration needs to be given to the conceptual nature of these dimensions, and to terminological usage. In the first half of the paper, the need for this consideration is explained. A number of pragmatic studies are examined, and this reveals that authors often use the same terms with different meanings, or different terms with the same meaning, and that the parameters are rarely explicitly defined. Then the paper reviews recent calls for an extra parameter of interlocutor relations to be added: for affect to be separated from distance. In the second half of the paper, relevant social psychological research is reported, and it is concluded that the number of ‘horizontal’ dimensions of interlocutor relations needs to be reconsidered. Power, on the other hand, emerges as a robust and relatively unitary dimension, yet its label has connotations that may not be cross-culturally valid.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Centre for Applied Linguistics

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Language and languages -- Philosophy, Power (Philosophy), Interpersonal communication and culture, Social psychology

Journal or Publication Title:

Journal of Pragmatics

Publisher:

Elsevier BV

ISSN:

0378-2166

Official Date:

July 1996

Dates:

Date	Event
July 1996	Published

Volume:

Vol.26

Number:

No.1

Page Range:

pp. 1-24

Identification Number:

10.1016/0378-2166(95)00047-X

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

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