Identity and Politics

Chapter 6 examines the intrinsic link between language, identity and politics. It argues that accents and dialects are powerful markers of social identity, yet they are often subject to prejudice and hierarchical judgments that reinforce class and educational inequalities. The chapter critiques the concept of a ‘standard’ accent, showing how it is a social construct which has been used to marginalize non-standard speakers, and how this impacts their life opportunities. It explores the political dimension of language, demonstrating how word choice and framing are not neutral but actively shape public perception and social reality. English's global dominance is also analysed as a form of linguistic imperialism, where power dynamics are perpetuated through language.