In Política lingüística y lenguas minoritarias, José M. Tortosa explains how language can be used as a political instrument that reflects class relationships and speakers' positioning within an imperialist chain of power as well as the basic components and interactions of the cultures involved. As Tortosa explains, in a diglossic situation, in which two languages coexist within a society, one of the languages is generally considered superior to the other, resulting in a type of structural linguistic hierarchy. He explains that the way that language is spoken in the society becomes a sign that communicates not only the content of the message but also the status of the individual within the social structure, including his or her cultural capital and educational level. In this way, language often becomes a political instrument used to construct national identity and to fight against cultural domination. Language thus contains a reflection of society...

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