Both texts have a similar context, as they are interactions
between a highly regarded businessman who is respected by the entrepreneur who
is simultaneously trying to gain the respect and money of the businessman. The entrepreneur’s
ultimate goal is to ‘win’ to program.
Alan Sugar insists on being called Sir Alan, or Lord Sugar,
this is because he has personal power. However, this is not a rule that is
explicitly explained, but all of the contestants address him this way as a sign
of respect. As they should know that he has more power than them considering
his vast amount of experience in the field of business. There is a lot of
interruption in the text, and it seems to be the convention that if Sir Alan
interrupts on of the candidates then they should stop talking. This does not
stop Phillip from challenging Sir Alan when he repeats ‘but we won.’ Which is a
direct contradiction to Sir Alan’s claim that it was a ‘fool’s win’ - ‘fools’
has negative connotations that unpin Phillip’s attempt at gaining power and
respect. If possible, it gave the opposite effect, meaning that Sir Alan became
impatient with him, which leads to the decisive point of ‘if you could come out
with something [other than criticism for Lorraine] I might listen to you.’ The
mitigated imperative of ‘might’ suggests that Sir Alan is willing to give
Phillip another chance but on the condition that he follows the terms
previously mentioned.
Phillip tries to gain power over Lorrain in attempt to sway
Alan in his favour and so he repeats the phrase ‘she’s trouble’ to emphasise
his point, much to Lorraine’s discomfort and Nick who further challenges
Phillip by embarrassing him with ‘tell us about pants man’ putting extra
emphasis on ‘pants’ by pausing before saying the word.
Juxtaposition in power and dialect
Sir Alan uses informal and non-standard grammar that is
unquestioned because of his power. An example being ‘cuz since then you ain’t
done that great’ his informalities are not challenged by any of the contestants,
because they are not the more powerful participants and therefore do not have
the right to do so, especially considering Phillip repeatedly uses the word
‘cannae.’
Language and Power – Dragon’s Den
Deborah Meaden has examples of false starts such as ‘produce
we’re producing’ this suggests that she might not be entirely confident in her
previous investment, which is aggravated by Peter who asks –rhetorically –
‘have you got something that (.) is better than (.) potentially something
Deborah has got up her sleeve?’ This further suggests that there is going to be
conflict between the ‘Dragons.’ The show, of course, revolves around the
presentation that the entrepreneur and therefore they will be challenged
continuously. Peter indirectly asks whether the product is recyclable by saying
‘one great thing about the post-it notes…it’s the fact that it’s…recyclable.’ John
wants to appear courteous considering the context and so uses the politeness
strategy of ‘thanks, Peter. I appreciate that.’ The use of the first person
address makes it seem more personal in attempts to build a relationship with
Peter as they could potentially be in business together, where Peter would
still be the more powerful participant. John also uses politeness strategy when
talking to Deborah despite the fact that she rejected his proposal because it
is important for him to appear professional in front of all the Dragons.
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