Discourse analysis is a technique used to analyze written or spoken language in relation to its social context. And it explores questions of meaning, power and practice in relation to the role of language.
Main Ideas in Discourse Analysis
Discourse Community — The group of people who are in the same major or field, that share the same interest and use language in particular ways to communicate with one another.
Discourse Markers: Words or phrases which help us see the organisation of a text/conversation.
Discourse Strategies: Language used to persuade, manipulate or influence others
Text Types →↓ 1. Discourse Genres: news articles, academic papers, legal documents, the different types of processes that texts go through that determine the conventions used; a type of legal discourse in your target language
Types of Discourse Analysis
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA):
Looks at the ways that language is used to uphold and challenge power systems.
Concentrates on the social, political and cultural contexts of language.
Conversation Analysis (CA):
Examines the organization of conversation, including turn-taking and interruptions.
Narrative Analysis:
Explores the narratives we create and their impact on our perception of reality.
Discourse Historical Analysis:
Class 2: Tracing the Genealogies of Discourse and Their Role in Social Change
ISHAQ S: Free interaction with social structures through linguistic formsApplications of Discourse AnalysisDiscourse analysis has a wide application such as the following−
Media Studies: Examining the coverage of news stories, advertising, and other texts.
Education: Classroom discourse and student-teacher exchanges.
Politics: Studying of political conversations, arguments, and country policy papers.
Role of language regarding how we think and behave Psychology
Marketing: The language of consumers and the discourse of brands.
Discourse analysis can serve as a tool to become critical consumers of information and communicators, by recognizing the practice of language in shaping meaning-making through power.
