Plain speech referred to a simple and direct form of communication used by Quakers in 17th century England to level social hierarchies. By using plain speech, Quakers stood to gain equality within their community but risked facing persecution from those benefiting from existing power structures. Even today, marginalized groups may use distinctive communication practices that are devalued by mainstream communities but still serve important purposes for building solidarity and identity among insiders.
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Interpersonal Communication Questions: Plain Speech, Quakers, Power Dynamics
1. Interpersonal communication Questions
1. What is plain speech? Who in Bauman's article makes use of
plain speech? How does the use of plain speech related to
hierarchies of power in 17th Century England?
2. For the Quakers, what was at stake as a consequence of using
plain speech? What did they stand to gain? What did they stand
to lose?
3. Similar to the situation Bauman describes, we inhabit a
linguistic world with a variety of communicative forms and
practices that differentially valued. Think of a communicative
practiced (broadly conceived) that is devalued by another,
larger community. Why might this communicative form be
devalued by outsiders? What purposes might this
communicative form hold for insiders?
