The Language War

by Robin Tolmach Lakoff

Robin Lakoff gets to the heart of one of the most fascinating and pressing issues in American society who holds power and how they use it, keep it, or lose it. In a brilliant and vastly entertaining discussion of news events that have occupied an enormous amount of media space--political correctness, the Anita Hill/Clarence Thomas hearings, Hillary Rodham Clinton as First Lady, O. J. Simpson's murder trial, the Ebonics controversy, and the Clinton sex scandal--Lakoff shows that the struggle for power and status at the end of the century is being played out as a war over language. Controlling language is a basis for all power, she says, and therefore it is worth fighting for. As a result, newly emergent groups, especially blacks and women, are contending with middle- to upper-class white men for a share in "language rights."

Lakoff's introduction to linguistic theories and the philosophy of language lays the groundwork for an exploration of news stories that meet what she calls the UAT (Undue Attention Test). As the stories became the subject of talk-show debates, late-night comedy routines, Web sites, and magazine articles, they were embroidered with additional meanings, depending on who was telling the story. Race, gender, or both are at the heart of these stories, and each one is about the right to construct meanings from languagein short, to possess power. Because language tells us how we are connected to one another, who has power and who does not, the stories reflect the language war.

We use language to analyze what we call "reality," the author argues, but we mistrust how language is used today--witness the "politics of personal destruction" following the Clinton impeachment. Yet Lakoff sees in the struggle over language a positive equality in the creation of our national discourse. Her writing is accessible and witty, and her excerpts from the media are used to great effect.

Genres: Linguistics, Language, Politics, Nonfiction, Feminism, Education

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! Although I skimmed more than read ... Lots of "aha!" moments.

Really, really interesting chapters analyzing the media narratives of the O.J. Simpson trial and Hillary Rodham Clinton in politics.

Notable quotes: "We use narratives as framing devices. We try to encode our experiences and observations as stories with beginnings and endings, predictable outcomes, rationales, logical conclusions. The more disturbing an event or series of events and the less it fits neatly into our preconceptions of a 'good' story, the more it requires framing to bring it to reasonableness" (p. 197).

"The Simpson story contains too many loose ends that can't be shaped into a coherent narrative with a conclusive plot, causal connections, and a happy ending with a moral. We like our nonfiction to resemble our fiction in these ways, and when the story doesn't unfold like a romance novel or a whodunit, it nags at our minds, causing us to pick at it obsessively, going over the details again and again" (p. 200).

[Sai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I would have rated this book 5 stars if it had stopped or expanded upon the first three chapters. Phenomenal analysis, wonderfully written, and very articulate. (Also, wishing it to have had a more radical perspective than her liberal framework, but that’s neither here nor there).

However, chapters four, six, & seven, (although again having a great analysis and well written), did not sit with me right, as Robin Tolmach Lakoff speaks on black issues probably more than she should’ve without including black writers/analyses in the discussion. I don’t think she should’ve have *not* written them, because they teach a lot about how white people operate within the normative or “unmarked” worldview. I just wish she would’ve added more black voices to contribute there (especially and specifically in the “Ebonics” chapter 7).

Chapter five was frustrating. Although having a rather well founded analysis of the misogynistic narrative surrounding Hillary Clinton, completely lacked the political narrative in the harm she’s caused. Rather than exploring the other reasons Hillary Rodham Clinton was disliked and unfavorable, Lakoff sums most all of it up to misogyny and contempt for Clinton as a woman. I firmly believe there is much more to be dissected in the violent politics Hillary Clinton holds and the ways that makes her untrustworthy/unreliable, than assuming all her dislike to be solely rooted in misogyny. Acknowledging that both can compound, yet there are absolutely still numerous ways to critique HRC (politically/socially) without adding in misogyny.

Chapter eight really left me feeling like we learned nothing. Which from the last section in the book may have been Robin’s purpose. However, I did learn a great deal in the first three chapters and would’ve loved to have had that reintroduced in the last chapter in a much better way than it was.

Overall, I think everyone should read at least the first three chapters! I really truly enjoyed those and would recommend them to anyone who would be able to read them with a more radical lens.

[Viki Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this for my MA to show how language can be used to oppress people. Very interesting and informative book.

[Valarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were so many topics this book could have covered; language expectations of gender, the way we belittle people using language, various non-standard forms of English, or the definition of dialect vs. language. Instead, Lakoff chose to focus exclusively on the "left" vs. "right" debates (terms she never clearly defines, though many of her criticisms of the "right" include claims that they fail to define their terms). Her own use of language violates most of her rules, as she makes sweeping statements like "...conservatives have always tried to impose sanctions of free expression, while liberals have tried to keep the 'marketplace of ideas' open to all traders" (100). While I may agree with this characterization, it is ridiculous to polarize two sides of the American political arena in such an absolute way. Lakoff destroys her credibility by painting liberals as the heroes of language freedom, and conservatives (again, she never defines this term, just assumes that we understand the word the way she does) as evil hate-mongers. This leaves the book only readable by liberals, and I doubt most critical thinkers will take much away from her text. The rave reviews on the back are what made me pick up this book. "Robin Lakoff is a national treasure" - Deborah Tannen? Hardly. There are only two chapters even worth reading ("The Neutrality of the Status Quo" and "Ebonics - It's Chronic"), and the rest of the book is merely a political rant that places Lakoff's opinions above all else.

[Nick Huntington-Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Critical Reading type of book through the lens of linguistics, with the hot button issues of the 90's as topical material. Interesting enough, but hasn't aged spectacularly (although the Hillary chapter was a great reminder of how she was remembered 15 years ago). Smacks a bit of an expert reaching outside her zone of expertise. This writeup has ended up a little more negative than it feels it should be - it was still interesting and worthwhile, if not exactly a momentous read. Would have been more revelatory if I'd read it when it was new.

[Melody Meiners · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at the way the media shapes our lives and the way language is used to give and take power. I especially enjoyed the essay that explored the media portrayal of the Clintons during his presidency. It is especially interesting to see the media portrayal of her election campaign after having read this book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A critical book focusing on the power of language. The higher ranking is mostly because if you further question anything Lakoff tries to explain as possible reasons for the power language has in society, then I believe you're doing just what she'd want you to do. This text contains some great leads and gets you thinking.

Read this book as part of an English history course.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't go through the last chapter because, but I definitely recommend this book. Robin Lakoff emphasizes the importance of language and its implications on our perception of reality from representation to other forms of power. If I have a chance I'll read the last chapter later on.

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the section about Hillary Clinton.

[Mary Ann (MAA) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Academic writing; challenging for a non linguist.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

See highlights for sample tidbits from the book with interesting trivia, phrasing, metaphors and facts !!