Here's where you can find Freire's ideas on language being inherently political:
* "Pedagogy of the Oppressed": Freire's most famous work extensively discusses the role of language in oppression and liberation. He argues that the language of the oppressor is used to maintain power structures and silence the voices of the oppressed. This language is used to dehumanize, categorize, and control. Freire advocates for a "language of liberation", which is a language that empowers the oppressed and allows them to challenge the dominant narratives.
* "The Politics of Education": In this book, Freire continues to explore the political nature of language and its role in education. He argues that language is a tool for "cultural invasion" when used by the dominant culture to impose its values and beliefs on others. He also emphasizes the importance of "dialogical language", which allows for genuine communication and understanding between individuals.
* "Education for Critical Consciousness": Freire's book elaborates on the concept of "conscientization", which is the process of developing critical awareness of one's own situation and the structures of oppression. Language plays a crucial role in this process, as it allows individuals to question and challenge the dominant narratives and develop their own understanding of the world.
While Freire doesn't explicitly state that language is never neutral, his work clearly demonstrates how language is often used to reinforce power structures and perpetuate inequalities. Therefore, it's safe to say that language is rarely truly neutral and often carries implicit meanings and ideologies.
It's important to remember that Freire's ideas are nuanced and complex. He doesn't simply argue that language is inherently bad or manipulative. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of critical consciousness and the need to recognize the political and ideological dimensions of language in order to use it effectively for liberation.