Analytical Reading Assignment: Language, Justice, and Social Hierarchy

This analytical reading explores the pervasive influence of the English language as a symbol of social power, examining its impact on justice and individual experiences. The essay highlights the concept of ideological power, where the dominant language can marginalize non-native speakers, affecting their access to legal rights and social acceptance. The author uses the cases of Robyn Kina and Amy Tan to illustrate how linguistic identity shapes outcomes in legal and social contexts. The essay argues that the standard language ideology leads to discrimination and unequal treatment, emphasizing that non-standard English should be valued equally as a means of communication. The essay references relevant literature to support the arguments, emphasizing the need to recognize the equal linguistic value of all languages and the detrimental effects of language-based biases.

Running head: ANALYTICAL READING
Analytical Reading
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1ANALYTICAL READING
Ever since its inception, English has been regarded as a globally accepted standard
language, and although a huge number of people do speak other languages as their mother
tongues, the English speaking people have barely been considerate towards the errors being
perpetrated by these people while speaking English. The standard language ideology has
permeated the minds of a huge number of English speaking people and has established English
as a language of supremacy and unquestionable supremacy. Consequently, while the non-English
speaking people have been compelled to communicate in English and their failure to do so has
only resulted in disdain and indifference towards them, the Englishmen have not put the slightest
effort to improve their understanding of the foreign language. In case, a person from a different
culture is unable to speak in English, his views and opinions have been simply discarded, even
though in some cases such indifferent and apathetic treatment of the native speakers has only
ended in catastrophic tragedies.
Language is no longer a mere medium of communication and exchange of thoughts, ideas
or views. In fact, on the contrary, language has emerged to be a symbol of social power. Herein
arises the concept of ideological power in which case the mightier and more influential section of
the society may establish its dominance and coerce and deny any right to the weaker section of
the society. English is no longer a language but is associated with the ideas of social power. The
case of Robyn Kina clearly showed how the linguistic identity of an individual determines her
access to legal justice. The ideological power of English language is now an all-pervasive issue
that is permeating each sector of the society. The ability of an individual to speak English is
determining whether he will get justice or not. Kina had killed her boyfriend simply as an act of
self-defense and though the murder was absolutely unintentional, it is shocking that the English

2ANALYTICAL READING
speaking law system punished Kina by lifetime imprisonment. Kina undoubtedly tried to argue
justifying her deed, yet she was not heard enough. The very reason why the law system turned a
deaf ear to Kinas’ plea of getting a bail, was her inability to speak in plain, smooth, coherently
structured English, the English lawyers are so much acquainted with (Eades, 1996). Even though
an aboriginal by birth, Kina was innocent and had rights to justice as much as any Englishman.
However, language power hierarchy denied justice to a girl who spoke in fragmented English
which the English speaking lawyers could not decipher, nor made the slightest effort to decipher.
Similarly, Amy Tan also showed how her mother would face indifference in America simply
because her English was not “flawless” and “smooth” like the Englishmen (Tan, 1991). The
people speaking non-standard English feel powerless, and intrigued as they are conditioned into
believing in the accuracy and unquestioned supremacy of the grammatically correct, structured
English. Some people feel isolated and suffer from a loss of sense of being, especially in a
foreign country, because they have been continually ignored, coerced and disdained by the
English speaking class of people who might just be referred to as the “authoritarian section”
(Green, 1994).
Non-standard English is linguistically the equal of the standard version of English, and
yet anybody speaking in that English is mocked at, ignored and treated unequally. Any language
that can help one to communicate or express ideas and views should be welcome. Language has
become more ideological influenced, and the biased attitude towards people speaking deviant
form of English only exhibits a distorted mentality.

3ANALYTICAL READING
Reference List:
Eades, D. (1996). Legal recognition of cultural differences in communication: The case of Robyn
Kina. Language & Communication, 16(3), 215-227.
Lippi-Green, R. (1994). Accent, standard language ideology, and discriminatory pretext in the
courts. Language in society, 23(2), 163-198.
Tan, A. (1991). Mother tongue. The best American essays. New York: Tickner & Fields.