Quote by Roland Barthes

All official institutions of language are repeating machines: school, sports, advertising, popular songs, news, all continually repeat the same structure, the same meaning, often the same words: the stereotype is a political fact, the major figure of ideology.

All official institutions of language are repeating machines

Summary

This quote asserts that various authoritative institutions and forms of communication, such as education, media, and advertising, constantly perpetuate repetitive patterns of language and ideas. It suggests that these institutions reinforce societal ideologies by consistently presenting a standardized framework, typically using identical words and meanings. The quote emphasizes that stereotypes, which simplify and generalize complex realities, are a powerful manifestation of this phenomenon and play a significant role in politics and ideology. In essence, it implies that the repetition of language shapes collective consciousness and influences societal norms and beliefs.

Topics

Language

By Roland Barthes

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