Response Paper No.2 The Command of Language and The Language of Command

Government College University, Lahore
Department of Philosophy & Interdisciplinary Studies
Programme: Master of Philosophy in Philosophy
Course Convenor: Doctor Muhammad Afzal Khan
Course Name: Post-Colonial Theory
Course Code: PHIL: 7104 (PLE1)
Session: 2022-2024
Credit Hour: 3
Semester: II
Response Paper No.2 on Bernard S. Cohn’s
The Command of Language and The Language of Command
Name: Junaid Faizan
Roll Number: 0755-MPHIL-PHIL-22

The Command of Language and The Language of Command
Colonialism was not merely an exercise in territorial acquisition; it was

fundamentally a project of knowledge production and control. The colonial
administration in India, like other colonial powers, sought to understand and govern
the diverse Indian society. Bernard Cohn explores the role of language in the process
of colonial domination and its impact on power dynamics, knowledge production, and
cultural control. Cohn's work delves into the intricate ways in which language has been
employed as both a tool of control by colonizers and a medium for the transmission
and creation of knowledge about the colonized societies. Cohn has argued and
implicated key concepts and contextualized them within broader philosophical
frameworks, and their relevance to contemporary debates on colonialism, linguistics,
and power dynamics. He addresses the dialectic relationship between language and
power in the colonial context. Cohn explores how the use of language by colonial
powers not only facilitated control over colonized populations but also shaped the very
understanding of those societies and cultures. He discusses how European colonial
powers employed language as a means to codify knowledge about the colonized
peoples and their territories, ultimately leading to the creation of a discourse that
justified and perpetuated the colonial domination.
Cohn highlights how language was a critical instrument of control for the
colonial powers over the Indian population. The imposition of European languages
especially English as the medium of communication in various domains such as law,
education and governance on the colonized societies served multiple purposes. First,
it established a linguistic hierarchy wherein the language of the colonizers was
considered superior, leading to the marginalization and suppression of native
languages. By promoting English British sought to create a linguistic hierarchy that
privileged English-speaking Indians while marginalizing those who did not possess
proficiency in the language. Second, it allowed the colonizers to communicate with
each other effectively, further consolidating their dominance over the colonies. Third,
it acted as a mechanism for acculturation, wherein the imposition of the colonial
language influenced the cultural norms and identities of the colonized population.
Fourthly, it not only facilitated communication within the colonial apparatus but also
acted as a barrier between the British and the Indian subjects. This linguistic divide
reinforced the social distance between the rulers and the ruled, further entrenching
colonial power structures. From a philosophical perspective, this aspect draws on the
works of Michel Foucault and his concept of "discipline" and "biopower." Foucault
argued that power operates through mechanisms of control, surveillance, and
regulation, which are evident in the colonial use of language to subjugate and
discipline the colonized subjects.
Colonial rulers aimed to understand the societies they sought to govern.

Language served as a critical tool for acquiring knowledge about Indian culture,
customs, and systems of thought. The colonial epistemology, heavily influenced by
European Enlightenment ideals, sought to categorize and classify the Indian society
into neat, comprehensible entities. This knowledge production was rooted in
ethnocentrism and Eurocentrism, elevating Western modes of knowledge while
denigrating indigenous systems of wisdom. Cohn then delves into the construction of
knowledge about the colonized and how language played a pivotal role in this process.
He argues that colonial administrators, scholars, and missionaries produced and
disseminated vast body of knowledge and used their command of language to
categorize, understand, classify, and represent the cultures, traditions, history and
practices of the colonized peoples. This knowledge produced was not a mere
reflection of objective reality but was deeply intertwined with the language used to
express it. So this knowledge was tainted by imperial agendas, perpetuating
stereotypes and heavily filtered through the lens of the colonial perspective which often
served the purpose of justifying and perpetuating colonial rule. Indigenous knowledge
systems and epistemologies were often disregarded or reduced to exotic curiosities in
the eyes of the colonizers. This process led to the formation of a particular knowledge
system that framed the colonized societies as "Other" and "inferior" in comparison to
the European standards, thus leading to ethnocentric, Eurocentric and essentialist
representations. From a philosophical perspective, this could be linked to Edward
Said's concept of "Orientalism." Said argued that the West constructed an image of
the East as exotic, backward, and uncivilized through various discursive practices,
including language. The colonial construction of knowledge, as discussed by Cohn,
mirrors Said's observations regarding how Western powers created a distorted and
reductive representation of the colonized Orient.
Cohn further explores the power dynamics inherent in the language used during
the colonial period. Cohn analyses that there is inseparable link between language
and power. Language is not a neutral medium of communication rather it is a site of
power struggles. He notes that the very act of translation between the languages of
the colonizer and the colonized inherently reflects unequal power relations. However,
this translation was not a neutral process; it involved the selective appropriation and
modification of knowledge to suit colonial interests. The colonial administrators and
scholars held the authority to interpret, reinforce and represent the colonized cultures,
leading to potential misinterpretations and misrepresentations. It suppressed
indigenous knowledge systems and languages, contributing to the erosion of local
traditions and identity. This aspect of the chapter can be examined in relation with
Bhabha's concept of "mimicry" and "hybridity" which emphasized how colonized
subjects mimic the dominant culture but also subvert it to create new forms of identity
and expression. In the context of language, this could mean that while the colonized
may adopt the colonial language, they also infuse it with their meanings and
subversive elements, challenging the colonial discourse.
Cohn also touches upon how language as a vehicle for communication and
expression played a role in shaping identities and resistance among the colonized
populations. The imposition of colonial languages led to the disruption and erosion of
native languages and the cultural knowledge embedded within them. As a result,
language became a site of struggle, with some individuals embracing the colonial
language for social mobility leading to linguistic alienation and the erosion of
indigenous languages, which are vital components of culture and identity.
Nonetheless there were others who resisted its imposition as a means to assert their
cultural identity. This is because language can be a powerful tool for reclaiming
identity, asserting agency, and challenging colonial hegemony. Despite the oppressive
linguistic environment, colonized communities found ways to resist colonial
domination through language. Cohn illustrates instances of linguistic resistance, such
as code-switching, creative expressions, and the preservation of oral traditions. This
resistance was an assertion of cultural autonomy and a means to subvert colonial
control. From a philosophical standpoint, this identity and resistance connects to the
works of Frantz Fanon, who examined the psychological impact of colonization on the
colonized. Fanon discussed how language played a significant role in shaping
consciousness and self-perception, and how reclaiming one's language could be an
act of resistance against colonial hegemony.
Cohn's exploration of language and colonialism has profound implications for

contemporary debates on postcolonialism, linguistic imperialism, and cultural
preservation. He sheds light on the lasting legacies of colonial language policies and
their impact on present-day sociolinguistic landscapes. In the context of linguistic
imperialism, Cohn highlights how dominant languages continue to exert influence over
marginalized languages, leading to linguistic homogenization and endangerment.
Cohn's work raises questions about language preservation and the importance of
valuing and safeguarding linguistic diversity. Furthermore, Cohn underscores the
importance of acknowledging and challenging colonial knowledge systems that persist
in various forms today. Decolonial thinkers and activists emphasize the need to
deconstruct Eurocentric knowledge paradigms and centre indigenous, marginalized,
and non-Western perspectives.
In conclusion, it would be argued that Cohn offers a comprehensive exploration

of the multifaceted role of language in colonialism. His analysis highlights the ways in
which language was wielded as a tool of control and knowledge construction,
impacting both the colonized and the colonizers. From a philosophical standpoint, he
draws on various theoretical frameworks to contextualize the power dynamics at play,
connecting the discourse to the works of Foucault, Said, Bhabha, Fanon, and others.
Moreover, the Cohn's implications for contemporary debates underscore the
continued relevance of examining language, power, and colonial legacies in our world
today.
Total Word Count: 1340
Peace Out

Response Paper No.2 The Command of Language and The Language of Command

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Response Paper No.2 The Command of Language and The Language of Command

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Response Paper No.2 The Command of Language and The Language of Command

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Government College University, Lahore

Department of Philosophy & Interdisciplinary Studies

Programme: Master of Philosophy in Philosophy

Course Convenor: Doctor Muhammad Afzal Khan

Course Name: Post-Colonial Theory

Course Code: PHIL: 7104 (PLE1)

Response Paper No.2 on Bernard S. Cohn’s

The Command of Language and The Language of Command

Name: Junaid Faizan

Roll Number: 0755-MPHIL-PHIL-22

Colonialism was not merely an exercise in territorial acquisition; it was

Colonial rulers aimed to understand the societies they sought to govern.

Cohn's exploration of language and colonialism has profound implications for

In conclusion, it would be argued that Cohn offers a comprehensive exploration

Total Word Count: 1340

You might also like