types of power
asymetrical conversations
Teacher: Angel! Why are you late?
Angel: Sorry Miss! I missed my train
Teacher: you need to wake up earlier then dont you
Angel: okay..
Teacher: what from are you in?
Angel: 12RPG
Teacher: if you're late again i will take your lunch time and early finishs away!
Angel: no! Miss I won't be late again
Teacher: We'll see won't we.
This is a asymetrical conversation between a student and a teacher, displaying the power of the teacher over the student because of the teachers authority in the role of a teacher. when angel replys to the teachers question of why are you late, the student immedietly answers back to apoligising to the teacher this implies a sense of power over the student.
Symmetrical conversation
Hayley: hey Claud, what you doing this weekend?
Claudia: going to nandos on Friday with daisy, grace and angel I think! What you doing?
Hayley: nothing I don't think
Claudia: come with us hay!
Hayley: yeah that will be good! You going Brentwood?
Claudia: yep! 8:00 O'Clock
This conversation is symmetrical because both people in the conversation are equal power levels to each other. The two people are students and the same age and gender an these factors can sometimes effect the way power is seen in some people. Claudia is very polite to Hayley when she invited her out at the weekend and they are both using standard English.
Claudia: mum! Please can I go to the concert next weekend! Everyone's going!
Mum: no claudia. I've said its too late to be up in London at 3am at your age.
Claudia: but I'll be with all my friends and I really don't wanna miss out!
Mum: claudia! I've herd enough. Your dad would never let you go either. Now stop keep going on.
Claudia: this is so unfair. All my other friends parents let them go. Your so embarrassing
This conversation is asymmetrical because of the power Claudia's mum has over Claudia. Claudia is asking for her mothers permission to do something this reflects power straight away and then when Claudia's mum answers her she is very close minded about it, and answers in a very strong demanding way. However Claudia's replies are trying to persuade her mum this is a good idea with the lexical choices used such a 'but' 'please!'. They both use standard English throughout this conversation.
