Question

Why does James Baldwin say that language "is a political instrument, means and proof of power"?

Answer 1

“language is a political instrument, means and proof of power”. This quote is telling us that just by the language we speak, others can know our identity. Speaking a certain language could inform others that the speaker is rich or spaeaking the same language could inform people that they are from the same hometown. He also explains the amount of knowlwdge others can obtain just by speaking a certain language. For, instance, if you open your mouth and speak England, you have indirectly confessed your parents, school, youth, salary, future and self-esteem.

Baldwin says, “language is a political instrument, means , and proof of power”., which according to him, In many societies, there ia an accepted language, and with that an accepted dialect also comes. This can change depending upon where one goes. For instance, a New York accent in the streets of Spartanburg may take the residents by surprize and lead them to assumptions about a person based on a few words said from his mouth. According to Baldwin, language can evolve from certain circumstances. A same language can be derived into two different ones, and even if the two languages derive from the same sources, they can often be seen differently.

Baldwin uses plenty of examples from all around the globe to demonstrate the social impact on the role of language. James Baldwin emphasizes that Black English is not a language, it is a dialect.