Communal character, the ratio of credibility between a person's capacity in society for influencing others and the susceptibility to domination, is developed through continuous social discourse, and reflects an individual's or group's rhetorical status (the range of influence available through symbols within particular social standings and situations). Persons in communal characters of a high rhetorical status are geared toward the management of others, and exhibit certain leadership qualities, such as exercising more control over communication exchanges, employing pronouns that exude authority, and using powerful forms of speech. Individuals occupying communal characters in a low rhetorical status often acquire communicative behaviors expected of that role in the community, such as deference to the opinions and preferences of individuals of higher rhetorical status, adapting the speech of others, and using more polite deictic. In many instances, the distinction blurs between an act taken strategically for a specific purpose and behavior performed because of having been learned in association with persons of the same rhetorical status, and in confrontation with persons outside of one's own rhetorical status. (Twenty-six notes are attached.) (MM)