This study aimed to obtain perceptions of teachers employed in state and private schools in Eskisehir, Turkey, about the language use of principals toward teachers as a means of motivation and control. The data for the study were collected from 170 teachers working in 13 schools. To analyze the data, frequency and percentage analysis techniques were used, as were "q" square and "t" test. The study results suggest that the school principals were attentive, conscious, and sensitive with their language use toward teachers and that the controlling and demotivating functions of language were used more in elementary schools. Regarding private schools, such language was generally used as a motivator. (Contains 2 tables.)