LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 14:5 May 2014
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.
         C. Subburaman, Ph.D. (Economics)
Assistant Managing Editor: Swarna Thirumalai, M.A.

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Copyright © 2012
M. S. Thirumalai
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Language and Power (in Tamil) by L. Ramamoorthy

A Review by M. S. Thirumalai

A Research-oriented Book – Still Very Relevant

It is almost ten years since this book Language and Power (in Tamil) by L. Ramamoorthy was published (Publishers: AKARAM, Thanjavur 613007, Tamilnadu, India, 2005). It is amazing to note that the contents of this book are valid and relevant even today. Often books published in Tamil on such matters become rather outdated because of fast changes taking place in Tamil society, Tamil politics and Tamil linguistics. Dr. Ramamoorthy has identified, described and explained many elements relating to the use of language in relation to the expression of power in Tamil society. These elements continue to have their sway and relevance even after dramatic changes taking place in Tamil society. In recent years, Tamils have been greatly affected by issues such as developments in Sri Lanka, Mullai Periyar dam dispute, controversies relating to movie titles and dialogues and so on. Caste has become a hot issue, especially the much adumbrated inter-caste marriages coming under intense attack. The growth of caste-based politics is a very significant event which clearly involves the use of language in relation to exercise of power. Corruption is yet another important source of helping retention of power, etc. The language of corruption has its own link with the use of language as well as exercise of power.

In the midst of all these, Dr. Ramamoorthy’s book on the use of language in relation to exercise of power reveals the fundamental constraints as well as the ease with which language is used to demonstrate and even to hide power.

The book Language and Power (in Tamil) has nine chapters, followed by detailed references/bibliography.

Chapter 1 presents an overview of the general relationship between language, language use and exercise as well as demonstration of power. That language expresses and reveals the status relation between interactants has been recognized in classical Tamil grammars. Kalidasa employs language to reveal the social status of some of his characters. On the other hand, in Tamil epics, use of second person singular to address the divinity is common and is accepted. The translation of the Bible into Tamil carefully chooses between available second person pronouns and adopts only ni:r (not ni:ngaL or ni:) to address Jesus. This example shows how language may be re-calibrated to meet the assumptions of users.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Adjunct Teacher
St. John’s Matriculation School
Malayan Street
Tenkasi 627 811
Tamilnadu
India
msthirumalai3@gmail.com
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