Language as a System of Knowledge and Power: Standard and Non-Standard

This essay examines the influence of language, specifically English, as a system of knowledge and power, focusing on the differences between standard and non-standard dialects. It argues that standard English speakers often benefit from increased opportunities and freedom, while non-standard English speakers face marginalization in socioeconomic areas, including education, employment, and travel. The essay highlights how accent and dialect can affect perceptions of competence and limit access to resources, leading to disparities in wages and overall quality of life. Ultimately, the essay concludes that language can either empower or downgrade individuals based on their dialect, with standard English speakers enjoying greater advantages in various aspects of life.

Running head: LANGUAGE AS A SYSTEM OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER 1
STANDARD AND NON-STANDARD ENGLISH
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LANGUAGE AS A SYSTEM OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER 2
Standard and Non-Standard English
Language influences thoughts and actions of all people. The words individuals use to
describe different things affect their thinking and actions which happens in all kinds of situations
(Kirkpatrick, 2007). People who learn their language are better at using it and easily persuade
and connect with others. English as a language can be standard or non-standard depending
whether it is individual’s first or second language. Language as a system of knowledge and
power can be used to marginalize or empower individuals who speak English.
Non-standard English speakers are mainly marginalized in socioeconomic areas. For
example, in U.S adults who speak non-standard English are more likely to be poor, inadequately
educated, underemployed, and receive lower earnings (Lippi-Green, 2012). Their accent of
speaking the language proves their level of education and English does not form part of their
native language. Many industries discriminate non-standard English speakers as people with
inadequate skills and knowledge in handling tasks. The people are paid low wages compared to
work done. They are also limited to areas of traveling in most parts of the world because of their
view of speaking non-standard English.
On the other hand, people who speak Standard English have got freedom of traveling,
living, working, and studying in most parts of the world. Other people and government provide
them accommodation and extra comfort because of money to be made trading with and
accommodating travelers from places such as U.S, Australia, United Kingdom and other
Standard English speaking nations. The language has much power behind it that many countries
have begun learning it to increase privileges like using it as a source of capital (Trudgill and
Chambers, 2017). Through traveling in most parts of the world, Standard English speakers are

LANGUAGE AS A SYSTEM OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER 3
frequently able to gain employment as English teachers because they have qualifications of
English being their first or native language or they have higher learning degree.
In conclusion, language downgrade and empowers English speakers depending on their
level of dialect. Non-standard English speakers’ accents lower their level of working or
providing services to companies which push them to poverty. The Standard English speakers are
more empowered with extensive opportunities and freedom. They can easily find employment in
most business firms in different nations without many limitations.

LANGUAGE AS A SYSTEM OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER 4
Reference
Kirkpatrick, A. (2007). World Englishes: Implications for international communication and
English language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lippi-Green, R. (2012). English with an Accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the
United States (2nd Ed.). New York: Routledge.
Trudgill, P., & Chambers, J. K. (2017). Dialects of English: Studies in grammatical variation.
Routledge.