Language and Place

(Wikimedia Commons, 2011)

Language plays a pivotal role in the creation of place as mentioned by Tuan (2011). Without the ability of speech: exploring, documenting, mapping, naming, construction, and interacting with a certain place would be impossible. This is because documenting and mapping are a type of text, while naming and construction (usually) are a discussion, both of which require language to come into existence. As a result, it is clear that language holds substantial power over the making and maintenance of place. It also has the power to destroy it as well through ordering its destruction or through negative speech (Tuan, 2011).

Naming in particular holds power over the creation of place; however this power is not always equally distributed. The power to name is in correlation to a person's authority on the matter. For example, the people who live in the area in question should realistically have a greater authority to name it compared to an 'outsider' or 'tourist'.

Within the language of place, metaphors and symbols are highly influential and abundant. Symbols are words or images that hold a certain meaning to invoke a deeper connection to the thing that the symbol is representing (Van Luyn, 2013). For example, a flag is a symbol of a country or a nation. This symbol is respected by most people whether they are from that place or not (Van Luyn, 2013).

The power of language in the making of place is not only restricted to the physical world. Online social networking sites are virtual places that also require language to be constructed. In addition, if the interactions between members are pleasant and enjoyable for the majority, then the site is improved upon. Likewise, any negative feedback could force the site to shut down. In the end, language holds power over both physical and virtual forms of place.

Reference List

• Tuan, Y. (2011). Language and the making of place: A narrative-descriptive approach. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. Retrieved from: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-1219810-dt-content-rid-920570_1/courses/13-BA1002-TSV-EXT-SP2/Subject%20Materials/Week%205%20Required%20Readings%20Tuan%2C%20Y-F%20%281991%29%20%20Language%20and%20the%20Making%20of%20Place%27/Tuan%20%281991%29.pdf
• Van Luyn, A. (Lecturer). (2013). Stories and place (Vodcast). Retreived from:https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_312_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_50513_1%26url%3D

Image Reference 

• Wikimedia Commons. (2011). Two people talking logo (Image). Retrieved from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two-people-talking-logo.jpg