Muted group theory

Muted Group Theory (MGT) is a <a href="/facts/Communication_theory/hsg79QAy">communication theory</a> developed by cultural anthropologist <a href="/facts/Edwin_Ardener/lM3IBKnh">Edwin Ardener</a> and feminist scholar <a href="/facts/Shirley_Ardener/mqGLYesy">Shirley Ardener</a> in 1975, that exposes the sociolinguistic power imbalances that can suppress social groups' voices.
Mutedness refers to inequitable barriers that disallow a social group from expressing themselves. The theory details the interlinked relationship between a dominant group and subordinate group(s) through two pathways:

<ol><li>The dominant group constructs the language system that is imbued with <a href="/facts/Social_norm/Qu2jGBz3">social norms</a> and vocabulary</li>
<li>Subordinate group(s) assimilate by learning the <a href="/facts/Linguistic_imperialism/mJQjnGvU">dominant language</a> to communicate</li></ol>
Subordinate groups may not be able to articulate their thoughts clearly to the dominant group, further complicating the <a href="/facts/Translation/2foI82so">translation</a> process and resulting in misinterpretation. Muted group theory also applies to <a href="/facts/Social_exclusion/8or1ar6F">marginalized groups</a> whose voices may be disregarded by the dominant group. Essentially speaking, language in its derivatives and usage pertain only to a single-axis representation, and inherent understanding, of what is a multi-axis reality.
Muted group theory relies on the theoretical framework built by Edwin Ardener and feminist scholars as well as key concepts including mutedness and the muting process that marginalized groups face. Muted group theory is extended into real-world applications including mass media, social rituals, the workplace, politics, education, theology and is critiqued by other theorists that evaluate the differentiation in communication styles between dominant and subordinate groups.

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Muted group theory