This document discusses the interrelationship between language, power, and identity in a globalized world. It argues that language is used to communicate, unite or divide people, and assert power through maintaining power relations and identities. Power shapes language by controlling discourse and agenda-setting. Identity is depicted through language and constantly negotiated. As globalization increases, new technologies and power relations emerge, reshaping concepts of power and information. International languages take on economic and cultural functions to share rather than impose ideas. Language plays a vital role in the foreign policy of global powers as they seek to promote their language and reshape identities.

1. LANGUAGE,
POWER,
IDENTITY &
GLOBAL
POLITICS

2. Interdependenc
y of Concepts Language
IdentityPower

3. Function of Language
■ To communicate and express.
■ Unites or divides people
■ Means of asserting power
■ Maintaining power relations
■ Maintaining/imposing identities

4. Role of Power
■ Shapes language
■ Exercised through discursive practices
■ Control over discourse
■ Agenda Setting
■ Persuasion, Regulation, Inducement.
■ Turn-taking; who, when and how much.

5. Shaping of Identity
■ Depiction of the self
■ A sense of belonging/distinction
■ Constantly building and negotiating
■ Multifaceted
■ Style shifting for convergence/divergence

6. GLOBALIZATION
• Reconfiguration for a homogeneous,
westernized, consumer culture.
• Deconstruction of the socio-cultural
identities.

7. As Globalization gains momentum…
■ Emergence of new technologies
■ Changing Power relations
■ Reshaping of concepts of power and
information
■ Changed role of language in world politics
■ Emergence of International Language

8. Expressing Hegemony
■ Make America Great Again ~ Trump
■ America First ~ Trump
■ Take Back Control ~Conservatives at Brexit
■ No one is in Position to dictate to the Chinese
people what should or should not be done.
~ Xi Jinping

9. Donald Trump Vs Xi Jinping

10. Kinds of Power
■ Hard Power: state-of-the-art military,
economy, science and technology etc.
■ Soft Power: literature, art, media, cultural and
linguistic influence etc.
■ Smart Power: a combination of both.
For today’s global power, Language has become
a vital part of its policy.

11. Linguistic Imperialism
Previously English was promoted and now Mandarin(Chinese).
■ Supremacist discourse
■ Promotion as part of foreign policy
■ Grants and funds for language promotion
■ Establishment of centers across the world
■ Testing services/Precondition to scholarships
■ Linguistic marketing

12. International Language
■ Apparently, Lingua Franca, bringing people
closer etc.
But,
■ Econo-cultural function:
■ Stabilized bilingualism
■ Means of empowerment
■ To share, rather impose their ideas and identity.

13. Reshaping Identities
Post Cold War Free world
■ George H. W. Bush: Leader of the “free
world”
“We know what works. Freedom works. We
know what’s right. Freedom is Right.”

14. Xi Jinping’s adress to Pakistani Parliament:
China and Pakistan both shoulder the historic mission
of achieving national renewal and realizing the great
dream of building a strong country and delivering a
better life for our peoples … to create greater benefits
to the Chinese and Pakistani peoples, contribute to
stability and prosperity of our region and lead the way
in building a community of common destiny in Asia.

15. Conclusion
With changing world stage, role of various languages,
and the use of language is changing.
New power relations come to surface and power is
exercised through changed discursive practices.
New identities are created through language.