The Politics of Linguistic Hegemony: A Postcolonial Perspective

Abstract

This study examines the intricate relationship between language politics and power dynamics within social hierarchies, focusing on the historical and socio-political impact of colonial language policies on postcolonial societies. Language politics is deeply rooted in societal power structures, creating friction among social strata. The study employs postcolonial theory and analyses postcolonial dichotomies, such as self/other center/periphery and colonizer/colonized, and how they translate into power imbalance. The process of ‘othering’ lies at the heart of postcolonial conundrum and results from the ensuing tension from the interface between these polarities. The study explores how marginalized communities often referred to as ‘subalterns’ adopt colonial languages for socio-economic mobility and examines the implications for identity and cultural preservation. The findings reveal that linguistic marginalization sustains power inequities while enabling limited socio-economic benefits at the expense of native languages. Thus, Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize the preservation of indigenous languages and implement equitable language policies to reduce socio-political disparities.