This document analyzes how power is expressed and contested through everyday discourse. It provides two examples of discourse that assert or challenge power relationships: 1) A conversation where one person questions policies supporting te reo Māori and Pacific languages, expressing racist views. 2) An interaction at work where a subordinate tries unsuccessfully to engage their superior in small talk, potentially challenging the existing power dynamic. The document also discusses how discourse shapes societal norms and power structures, and how power imbalances can be reinforced through everyday exchanges.

1. Language, Discourse and Power Assignment three: Web-Based Presentation Power in Everyday Discourse By Murray Riches 06154506

2. Two examples of everyday Discourse Used to ‘Do Power’ Racist discourse used to assert one groups power over another Small talk used to construct and contest workplace power relationships

3. - “part of the social fabric of communication” - “created through people interacting in a certain social context” - contextually determined component of discourse (Bower & Martin, 2007, p. 84-85) - “many different kinds of power and influence that are interrelated and have varied manifestations” (Tannen, 1987, p.5). What is power?

4. Discourse creates power “the values and beliefs we hold which seem to be ‘normal’ and ‘commonsense’ are in fact constructs of the organisations and institutions around us, created and shared through language” (Wareing, 2004, p. 1) Power and Discourse?

5. Interaction one: 1 – “Do you have to learn Maori to be a primary school teacher?” 2 – “Yea – just the basics, ya no” 1 – “That’s crazy! – they should be more concerned about the fact that half the kids can’t speak English properly these days. I mean, some of my friends were Maori at school and they didn’t need to learn Maori to do well” 2– “Mmmm, we have to learn the basic Pacific stuff too...” 1 – “What?! That’s ridiculous; it’s not even their country!” 2 – “Yea, When in Rome do as the Romans do, a”

6. Production of commonsense Otherization Nostalgia “Maori friends” Construct ion of power relationship through:

9. Need to fit into ‘our’ culture

10. “It’s not even their country”

13. Establishes credibility

15. A - “I feel like shopping...” M - “Hmm” (looking intently at the computer) A - “I really do ya no” M - (silent) A - “I really want a surround sound system” Interaction two:

16. “Discourse in the workplace involves the construction not only of collegiality but also of power relations. Every interaction involves people enacting, reproducing and sometimes resisting institutional power relations in their use of discourse” (Holmes, 2000, p.51). Margret = superior Anne = subordinate

18. Force Margret to see her as equal person

19. Suppress challenge to her authoritative position

20. Anne’s insistent attempts to initiate conversation

22. References: Bower, H., & Martin, K. (2007). Communication across cultures: Mutual understanding in a global world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Holmes, J. (2000). Doing collegiality and keeping control at work: Small talk in government departments. In J. Coupland (Ed.), Small talk (pp. 51-58). Horlow, England: Pearson. Tannen, D. (1987). Remarks on discourse and power. In L. Kedar (Ed.), Power through discourse (pp. 3-10). Norwood: Ablex. Wareing, S. (2004). What is language and what does it do? In L. Thomas, S. Singh, J. Peccei, J. Thornborrow & J. Jones (Eds.), Language, society and power: An introduction (pp. 1-16). London: Routledge. Wetherell, M., & Potter, J. (1992). Mapping the language of racism: Discourse and legitimisation of exploitation. New York; London: Harvester Wheatsheaf.