Language and empowerment. Issue 3 (8th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Webster, Jonathan
• Other Names: BOLTON KINGSLEY guestEditor.; DAVIS DANIEL R. guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: World Englishes. Volume 37:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 523
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2018-10-08
• Subjects: English language -- Foreign countries -- Periodicals; English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers -- Periodicals; English language -- Variation -- Periodicals; Intercultural communication -- Periodicals; 428.2407
• DOI: 10.1111/weng.12341
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-2919

Abstract

Abstract: Edwin Thumboo's poem Language as Power, written for Larry and Braj (L&B) provides the central theme for this paper written in remembrance of Larry. The poem is a composition in two movements, engaging readers aesthetically and spiritually. The poem's first movement is more like a hymn, celebrating the power of the Word. The second movement explores the impact of the phenomenon known as world Englishes. The paper concludes with two personal notes: the first explaining how the meaning‐making potential of language – what Halliday calls 'grammatical energy' – is employed by the poet to immortalize L & B; and the second, how our encounters with Larry's every good endeavor have enriched our lives and made us better human beings.