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Discourse Intro

Discourse Studies is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes language use in various contexts, focusing on how meaning is constructed and how it influences social interactions. It has roots in multiple disciplines and emerged in the 20th century, with applications in politics, media, gender studies, and social media. Key types of analysis include Structural Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, and Conversation Analysis, each examining different aspects of language and its societal implications.

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16 views13 pages

Discourse Intro

Discourse Studies is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes language use in various contexts, focusing on how meaning is constructed and how it influences social interactions. It has roots in multiple disciplines and emerged in the 20th century, with applications in politics, media, gender studies, and social media. Key types of analysis include Structural Discourse Analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis, and Conversation Analysis, each examining different aspects of language and its societal implications.

Uploaded by

Anwar agha
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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DISCOURSE INTRO

11TH MARCH 2025


PRESENTED BY
DR. NAJIA ALMS
WHAT IS DISCOURSE STUDIES:

• Discourse Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines


how language is used in communication, focusing on the
structures, functions, and social contexts of discourse. It
explores how meaning is constructed through language in
different settings—such as everyday conversation, media,
politics, and academic texts.
A SIMPLER DEFINITION

• In simple terms, discourse refers to the way language is used to


convey ideas, shape identities, and influence social interactions.
THE ORIGIN AND THE DEVELOPMENT

• The roots of Discourse Studies can be traced back to multiple


disciplines, including linguistics, philosophy, sociology, and
anthropology. While the study of language dates back to ancient
times (e.g., Aristotle’s rhetoric), modern Discourse Studies
emerged in the 20th century, particularly in the 1960s and
1970s.
ARISTOTLE RHETORIC

• Aristotle’s Rhetoric as an early form of discourse analysis.


• Three modes of persuasion:
1. Ethos (credibility)
2. Pathos (emotion)
3. Logos (logic)
TYPES

1.• Structural Discourse Analysis – How


language is organized in texts.
2.• Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) – How
language reflects and reinforces power and
ideology.
3.• Conversation Analysis – How
conversations are structured in everyday
communication.
REAL WORLD APPLICATION

• • Politics: How speeches shape public opinion (e.g., political slogans).

• • Media: Word choices in news reporting (e.g., “freedom fighters” vs.


“terrorists”).

• • Gender Studies: Differences in male/female speech patterns in workplaces.

• • Social Media: Hashtags as digital activism (#MeToo, #BLM).

• • Literature: How language in novels reflects social issues (The Yellow


Wallpaper).
•1. Political Speeches and Power
•Example: Barack Obama’s Presidential Speeches
• • Discourse Analysis: Obama often used inclusive language like “We the
people” and “Yes, we can” to create a sense of unity. • Critical
Perspective: A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) would examine how his
rhetoric shaped public perception and reinforced power structures.
2. Media and News Representation

•Example: Reporting on Refugees vs. Migrants


• News outlets often use different words depending on their stance.
• “Refugees” (suggesting humanitarian need)
• “Illegal immigrants” (suggesting criminality)
• Discourse Analysis: Examines how word choices influence public opinion
and policy-making.
3. Gender and Language in Society
• Example: Workplace Communication Differences
• Studies show that women are more likely to use hedging language (e.g., “I
think,” “Maybe we should”) to soften statements, while men use more direct
commands.
• Discourse Analysis: Investigates how language reflects and reinforces gender
roles in professional settings.
•4. Social Media and Digital Discourse
•
•Example: Twitter Hashtags (#MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter)
• • These hashtags create digital activism, shaping public debates and
influencing policies.
• • Discourse Analysis: Studies how social movements gain power through
online discourse and how language spreads ideas globally.
•5. Advertising and Consumer Manipulation
•
•Example: Coca-Cola’s “Open Happiness” Campaign
• • The phrase “Open Happiness” links drinking Coca-Cola with emotional
well-being.
• • Discourse Analysis: Examines how marketing discourse influences
consumer behavior by associating products with emotions.
•6. Religious and Cultural Discourses
•
•Example: Islamic Sermons (Khutbahs) in Different Contexts
• • In some regions, sermons emphasize spiritual growth, while in others,
they focus on political issues.
• • Discourse Analysis: Looks at how religious discourse adapts to different
socio-political contexts.

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