Language and Cartography- snapshots in time

James C. Scott uses the idea of language both literally and metaphorically to explain a method of control in his book “Seeing Like a State”. Cartography is another tool that both Scott and Anderson use to illustrate how a state can both quantify and exert power over a region and its people. When combined, they produce varied results, depending upon the context. I’ll use the experiences of the US, Ireland and China to illustrate this point. In each case, both language and roads have been used as a means of unifying or even subjugating the people.

During the Qin dynasty in China (221 BC–206 BC) the first emperor of China instituted many reforms to standardize weights, measures and written language. The written language was made simpler and thus, easier to disseminate. While James’ account of the French standardization process talks of the creation of the metric system and ultimately, a unified, democratic French citizen, the results of standardization were different in China. The Qin dynasty was known for creating roads, canals and large sections of the Great Wall, but this was achieved upon the backs of forced laborers. The roads were used for military success against neighboring foreign challengers to the state as well as domestic insurrections. The invention of paper and the compass later gave the Chinese an edge when creating and utilizing maps for navigation. Under communist rule, the Chinese state forced all provinces to use their official language in all state communications media, thus unifying the people. In recent decades, some areas have openly flaunted this rule, especially in the southern regions. I would speculate that economic concerns have mitigated the state’s desire to strictly control language. As long as the regions prosper, they are less likely to revolt. Thus, language becomes a less important tool in subjugating the people.

Ireland was mapped out and pillaged during the British colonization period of the 1600s. The people were forced to change from a clan structure into an organized state that the British could more easily control. Again- language, roads, and cartography played major roles in this transformation. Roads were obviously used for military domination, but also for commerce. The mapping out of Ireland was more for the colonists than the native inhabitants. Interestingly enough, during the late 20^th century Ireland experienced an economic surge and a corresponding surge in the use of their native Gaelic language. Nationalist pride was one impetus for the resurgence of Gaelic, or simply “Irish” and the language was once again taught in the schools and even instituted in daily life in the western counties. Today, the “Gaeltacht” districts are places where Irish is spoken and official state business may be conducted in Irish. Tourists are advised to identify the place names in both Irish and English as even road signs are often listed only in native Irish within the Gaeltacht districts.

Finally, the United States of America has the fabled story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. They were set with the task of exploring the new western territories and reporting back to the central government with maps and first-hand data of the people and lands which lay west of the Mississippi. Again, this was not for the benefit of the local inhabitants, but rather for the colonists who would take the land and settle there themselves. Eventually, the native Americans were subjected to forced relocation and eradication of their native languages. The “Indian schools” were used to impose uniformity and European sensibilities upon the children of the native people. Language was a major part of this strategy of integration. Again, during the late 20^th century there has been a movement to regain indigenous languages among the Native Americans, but this has not always come from a uniform sense of prosperity. Casinos have contributed to some tribes economic well being, but not across the country. It would be interesting to see if there were a larger language correlation among the more wealthy tribes than those who did not prosper as much.

So, using Scott’s vision of language and maps, we get different stories with similar themes throughout history. Both are powerful tools in the making of a state, but neither is set in stone. Maps are only snapshots in time, albeit powerful tools. Language can be standardized but again, time and the inclinations of native peoples may be more resilient than is comfortable for a state. Even the Roma Gypsies in Europe continue to be a thorn in modern France’s stately side with their nomadic ways and foreign language.