Week 4 – Barker Chapter 8

The whole issue of subjectivity/agency seems on some level to model that of language studies. That is, we seek to define something (subjectivity) that we can never view “from the outside.” We necessarily must study the issue from within its confines: only as “subjects” can we begin to question the nature of subjectivity. Though the chapter does place some emphasis on the role of language in determining identity, one wonders in light of these remarks if the converse might also be a point of consideration. That is, perhaps we ought also consider that our understanding of “self” and “identity” (whether cultural/social or personal) necessarily influences our choice of language.