Linguistic inclusion and exclusion is the primary concern of the theorists working on pluriliteracy studies I mentioned before. But those dynamics work in both directions. Sometimes people use particular linguistic forms because they do wish to exclude and not just the powerful but also the supposedly powerless (eg: gang parlance). People do not need to read Foucault to instinctively understand the relationship between language and power.
That said, we all employ linguistic forms specific to our communities, shaped by our needs. There is nothing instrinsically wrong with specialised language, if it is serving a purpose. If its purpose is to exclude that is one thing. If it is to be precise and efficient that is another. Sometimes the latter purpose can find it hard to avoid the former. I think there is also a (possibly natural) requirement upon everyone who is able to remain vigilant to how meaning might be made anew. By this I mean we all need to remain learning individuals so long as we are capable. I do not think it need be a requirement on others to ensure they are understood by those who cannot be bothered to learn. When there is a special need then there is a clear case for this, but otherwise...yes, when you have the need there is a duty to learn and develop the capacity to understand. It is self-improvement. Simon On 3/2/09 13:11, "bob catchpole" <bobcatchp...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > Simon, > > Thanks for the translation, it's fortunate you're on the list! Don't you think > the text, drafted in a language largely understandable by academics, is guilty > of the very thing it claims to be researching? That is, how and why people are > excluded from contested spaces? > > If the text spoke in a more everyday, comprehensible language do you think it > might invite wider engagement? > > Language is power. Often to exclude or oppress, no? > > Bob Simon Biggs Research Professor edinburgh college of art s.bi...@eca.ac.uk www.eca.ac.uk www.eca.ac.uk/circle/ si...@littlepig.org.uk www.littlepig.org.uk AIM/Skype: simonbiggsuk Edinburgh College of Art (eca) is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC009201
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