DISCOURSE

ANALYSIS
L AY L A M A R I E S E L
OUTLINE

• What does the word discourse mean?

• Linguistic Discourse Analysis
• Discourse Analysis Theories
WHAT DOES “DISCOURSE” MEAN?

• Discourse is any written text or spoken utterances that deliver messages.

• Discourse for linguists names a part of language that has an intimate relation to syntax!
• Syntax is the structure of language, the way words and phrases combine together into
sentences.
sentence

Noun
Verb
Phrase
Phrase

(v) Noun
(n) Tom
Pushed Phrase

(d) the (n) car

WHAT DOES “DISCOURSE” MEAN?
A: “Microsoft’s new operating system is loaded with bugs.”
B: “Microsoft loaded its new operating system with bugs.”

Both sentences follow the conventions of English grammar, yet says different things.

A: Makes the bugs sound like a mistake!

B: Makes the bugs sound like something Microsoft did on purpose!
LINGUISTIC DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

• Discourse Analysis as a branch of linguistics is a big umbrella

• Under which falls more linguistic branches:
• Syntax: why this particular sequence of sentences and words in a particular discourse.
• Semantics: the obvious and hidden meanings in this discourse.
• Stylistics: studying the discourse to define its linguistic and tonal style.
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS THEORIES

Examples of Discourse Analysis theories include:

• Fairclough’s 1992 theory; Critical Discourse Analysis.
• Fairclough’s theory suggests 3 dimensions to every discourse;
• Text: any textual feature that is employed in either speech or writing has potential significance.
• Discursive Practice: the ways in which a piece of text is put together and how it is interpreted
in a wider social context.
• Social Practice: social practice is about how people use language to relate to one another in any
given society.
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS THEORIES

Examples of Discourse Analysis theories include:

• Gee’s 2011 theory; The 7 Building Tasks.
• (identities, relationships, politics, significance, practices, connections, and sign systems.)
REFERENCES

• Fairclough, N. (1992). Discourse and Social Change. (Vol. 10). Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
• Gee, J.P. (2011). Discourse Analysis: What Makes it Critical? In Rogers, R. (Ed.), An
introduction to critical discourse analysis in education (23-45). New York: Routledge.
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