Language and Power in Professional Contexts: An English Studies Perspective on Corporate and Legal Communication

Language and Power, Professional Communication, Corporate Discourse, Legal Language, Discourse Analysis, Organizational Communication

Language functions as a central mechanism through which power is constructed, negotiated, and institutionalized within professional environments. In corporate and legal contexts, communication is not merely a medium of information exchange but a strategic instrument that shapes authority, hierarchy, decision-making, and organizational control. This study examines the relationship between language and power in professional settings through an interdisciplinary framework integrating English studies, discourse analysis, and organizational communication theory. The research investigates how linguistic structures, rhetorical strategies, and discourse patterns influence power dynamics in corporate communication and legal discourse. By analyzing professional texts including corporate reports, internal communications, legal contracts, and courtroom narratives, the study identifies patterns through which authority is asserted, legitimized, and contested. The research further explores the role of digital communication platforms in transforming traditional power structures by enabling new forms of interaction and discourse. A mixed-method analytical approach combining qualitative discourse analysis and computational text modeling is employed to examine linguistic features such as modality, lexical choice, framing, and narrative control. The findings reveal that language operates as both a tool of domination and negotiation, with significant implications for organizational transparency, inclusivity, and ethical communication practices. The study contributes to English studies and professional communication research by providing a comprehensive framework for understanding how language constructs and sustains power relations in contemporary corporate and legal environments.