ELSEVIER Journal of Pragmatics 25 (1996) 791-817 jmtrl~ ~ The pragmatics of emancipation: A critical review of the work of Michael Huspek Chik Collins* Department of Applied Social Studies, University of Paisley, High St., Paisley PAl 2BE, UK Received September 1994; revisedversion February 1995 Abstract In recent years Michael Huspek has attempted to develop a "truly emancipatory linguis- tics" (1988: 355). His argument is that a critical linguistics with an emancipatory intent must be based on empirical analysis of the "emancipatory potential of language as manifested in speakers' everyday discourses" (1988: 348). This article critically reviews Huspek's work and addresses some of the theoretical, methodological and empirical problems which emerge, and which seem to limit his project. Criticism is developed from a position informed by the works of Volo~inov, Bakhtin and to a lesser extent Wittgenstein. Evidence from a case study of working class struggle in the west of Scotland is also introduced to highlight the need to build a more developed theoretical framework, and a broader empirical basis, for Huspek's project. The aim of the paper is to suggest ways in which, through critique, we might further the project of an emancipatory linguistics. I. Introduction In a series of publications in recent years Michael Huspek has attempted to develop a critical linguistics framed with an emancipatory intent. His argument is that a "truly emancipatory linguistics" (1988: 355) can only be based on empirical analysis of the "emancipatory potential of language as manifested in speakers' everyday discourses" (1988: 348). While Huspek's contribution is a provocative and valuable one, it has generated surprisingly little wider discussion and critical assessment. This is all the more surprising in view of the manner in which Huspek has developed his argument. His project is ongoing and open-ended, and through his various publications it is possible to follow the development of his thinking quite clearly. It is the type of project which is both disposed to, and actively invites, dialogue and critical assessment. Indeed, as I will argue, it is the type of project which, when subjected to critique, reveals its inherent limitations very clearly and so * Tel.: +44-141-848-3892; Fax: +44+141-848-3891; E-mail: coll-as0@paisley.ac.uk 0378-2166/96/$15.00 © 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSD1 0378-2166(95)00055-0