In critical theory and postcolonialism, the term subaltern designates the populations which are socially, politically, and geographically outside of the hegemonic power structure of the colony and of the colonial homeland.
Dalam teori kritis dan pascakolonialisme, istilah subaltern mengacu pada penduduk yang secara sosial, politis, dan geografis berada di luar struktur kekuasaan hegemonik koloni dan tanah air kolonial.