Date: Wed, 13 Mar 96 09:26 CDT
From: Theodora Lightfoot <DLIGHT-AT-macc.wisc.edu>
Subject: language and power


 
I am very happy to see the Foucault list suddenly become multilingual. I think
that language choice is very definitely an issue of power. English has become
akind of "authorized discourse" in academic (and other, i.e. cultural and
political" circles) and that English speakers tend to defend their turf by
pulling discussions that language so that we can both understand and express
ourselves fluently without making the effort to confront and deal with other
discourses (languages.) I enjoy being able to correspond with people in French
and Spanish which I read easily. The real challenge for me will be when (and
this will inevitably happen soon) German speaking subscribers begin responding
in that language (which I read with extreme difficulty.)Inevitably, if the list
is multilingual I like all subscribers who read a particular configuration of
languages will be included in some parts of the conversation and shut out of
others. I personally find the idea interesting and challenging.
 
I have one formating suggestion (not a demand, merely a request!) for people
posting via reply. Would it be possible for you to put your message BEFORE the
material you are replying to rather than after it? I get quite a lot of email (I
am on two lists) and would rather read NEW material than a repeat of a message I
read the day previously before seeing what commentary someone wants to make on
the old material.
 
							Thanks
 
							Dory

     ------------------