Editorial

Abstract

The focus of this special issue is on the multimodal representations of authority in society. Authority transcends all areas of human interaction, where interaction includes not only language but also audial, visual and other modes of multimodal communication. Even where it may not appear to be prevalent, the very structure of knowledge, interactions, transactions, relationships, societies, cultures and polities is based on some kind of existing, derived, normative or contested form of authority. This means the forms of authority are diverse, sometimes obfuscatory, but also open to the potential for challenges to existing authority. Authority may be held by an individual or a collective, and may or may not be subject to questioning. The acceptance or not of knowledge, rules and decisions depends on the extent to which they are reputed to emanate from a source of authority. By going beyond the spoken word, a multimodal approach enables researchers to identify the signifiers of authority in specific contexts and how those said to hold power are able to maintain their positions of authority over others, or, conversely, why they are at risk of losing their control over a situation or a people. The present collection of articles explores these challenges in a variety of social contexts, media formats and cultures.