Questions and the exercise of power

Abstract

This article argues that ‘ideal dialogue’, which is free from power, is unattainable and unrealistic, and power is inherent in all dialogues. It focuses on the exploration of questions as a possible means to exercise power in both casual conversation and institutional dialogue. Comparatively speaking, power tends to be overt in institutional dialogue and covert in casual conversation and questions exercise power in different ways in both forms of verbal interaction respectively. On the basis of data analysis, it is pointed out that the immediate allocation of turn-taking and the temporary topic control result in the latency of questions as a powerful means in casual conversation. The prominence of questions as a powerful means centers on three factors, that is, notably unequal distribution of questions producing the unequal allocation of turn-taking, dominant questions controlling both local and global topics, and Yes/No questions and Wh-questions exercising power in different degrees.