5.4 Features of language

The section on page 462 that discusses the features of language is very interesting; especially the first two points.  The struggle for power is so apparent in my organization and often there are arguments about irrelevant things such as where to go for lunch!  In all honesty, it really doesn't matter where we go for a team lunch or what we order for dinner.  I often find that my boss has to have it her way every time.  To me, this is just her way of being controlling and exhibiting her power.  These little power-trips are usually over silly little things such as lunch or what color notebooks to order or when to have a meeting, etc.  After a while, everyone doesn't even give their input anymore because they know that it doesn't matter, so the boss has won. 

The second point also has some truth in it.  Organizations almost always use passive voice as oppose to active voice.  Using passive voice makes it sound more decided and "set in stone."  It definitely implies that there is no room for discussion, comments, opinions, or change.  I think that almost everyone has heard their organizations make statements using passive voice and it has become so common we don't even think anything of it.  In fact, I don't think about it when my company sends out an email that has something like a policy change, for example; I just accept it without thinking.