Tiara's English Blog

2. What did medieval linguist Antonio de Nebrija mean when he told Queen Isabella that: “language is the perfect instrument of empire?” How has language contributed to colonial power? Focus on a specific example. "Language is the perfect instrument of empire" Antonio de Nebrija, medieval linguist told Queen Isabella. But what is the deeper meaning behind this quote. The quote is trying to say how people really do underestimate the power of language alone. Too many, think language is just a means of communication but in reality you could say language is the glue that holds an "empire" together. Language imperialism, refers to "the transfer of a dominant language to other people". The transfer is essentially a demonstration of power, traditionally, military power but also, in the modern world, economic power and aspects of the dominant culture are usually transferred along with the language. If you think of it language has enough power to rule the wor