Discourse Analysis

Definition of discourse analysis & other stuff related to it.

For the time being, discourse analysis is of primary importance. Before shedding light on
some stuff pertained to discourse analysis, it is of paramount importance to define it.
Discourse analysis could be simply defined as the analysis of language and how it is used to
construct perspectives, identities and so on. It is noteworthy to point out that discourse
analysis is mainly based on language; in other words, discourse analysis is worthless without
language, which is, according to Malcolm, a way of behaving and making others behave,
whereas Avram Noam Chomsky refers to it as a mirror of the human mind. More specifically,
discourse analysis is concerned with the interrelationships between language and society.
Moreover, it is interested in language use in social contexts. Despite of being interested in
speaking, discourse analysis is interested also in writing. Discourse analysis aims not only at
detecting the rules of the production of coherent discourse but also at depicting the
conversational structures. In respect of discourse, it is broken down into language and non-
language. Language is used to perform social activities such as discussing, talking, advising
and promising. Also, it is used to delineate human affiliation within culture; for instance, it’s
believed that men are more powerful than women. This is proved by the way of our daily
activities. Additionally, it is used as a means of manipulation. For instance, the teacher
exercises power over his students based on his social position and knowledge. Power, in fact,
is a natural thing. When power is used to manipulate others, in this case, it is called
hegemony. It is obvious that each one of us strives to be in a powerful position, of course,
depending on discourse, language. As far as discourse activities are concerned, it is to be noted
that our standpoints, perspectives and attitudes are taken from the social activities, which are,
of course, practiced by the members of a particular society. It is a continuous process. That is,
our lives are controlled by the attitudes of the ancestors. We’re involved in a process of
socialization.

Edited By : ISMAIL ACHIBAN

 In all societies, women are constrained by certain limits, which have nothing to do with
men. Men, on the other hand, are in position of power. Whatever men do, men are men.

Unlike men, women are not permitted to behave freely. They are always monitored by
men (brothers, uncles, fathers, grandfathers...). According to Labour –sociologist- any society is
constructed as follows:

Society
Men Women

Haunt, Work, More Controlled by Take care of children,Cook.

responsible, Leadership

It is noteworthy to indicate that this social situation is undiscussable, known as objective

reality.

Speech community:

According to Hymes, speech community is any group of people that shares both
linguistic resources and rules for interaction and interpretation. On the other hand, Dorian
refers to speech community as a group of people who speak the same language. The members
of any speech community should be aware of the things they have in common. Each speech
community has at least two styles, which share some linguistic features. Nonetheless, each
style has its own lexical items and grammatical constructions. Hallidacy is of the opinion that
distinguishing between different speech communities relies basically on the registers they
use. Hallidacy further adds that making a clear-cut distinction between registers depends on
their lexical items used to communicate.

Face-work:

Face-work
Negative face Positive face

Imposing things on others strictly Compliment

Edited By : ISMAIL ACHIBAN

Undoubtedly, our daily misunderstandings are sent by language, and they could be
reformed via using language.

Connections:

A Language B

A string of words (each word conveys a specific meaning)

Semiotics:

The first thing that comes to our minds when talking about semiotics is the French
linguist Ferdinand Desessure. He simply defined, semiotics as the study of sings; in other
words, it is interested in how different symbol systems and forms of language count.

Example:

Fire
Revolution Punishment

Hope Anger

Discourse variation:

Variation
User-related Use-related

Each language has its Register analysis

speakers. Each of which

has his/her own way of

speaking.

Edited By : ISMAIL ACHIBAN

This refers to the following differences:

 Social dialect (how the social classes use language)

 Historical dialect
 Idiolects
 Geographic dialect
 Ethnic dialect
 Regional dialect

We cannot talk about discourse without context. A related point is that when a text is
being produced, the production is either written or spoken.

Context of situation
Culture Text

Production Reception

Standard and non-standard:

Arabic
Moroccan Arabic Standard Arabic

Non-educated, Working class... Educated, High culture...

Norms of interaction:

All communities have certain non-linguistic rules that govern how speech occurs; for
example, French children are encouraged to be silent when visitors are present, whereas
Russian children are encouraged to talk.

Edited By : ISMAIL ACHIBAN

 Speech Events
Sitting Purpose

Participants

Time Place All speech events have purpose

Speaker Listener

Transmits the message Receives the message

It is worthy to note that some events may share the same style, but they’re different in
terms of purpose and participants or sitting

Tone:

All speakers have a basic choice between falling and rising tones. In all situations
there’re certain norms, or rules, which determine who speaks when and to whom.
Furthermore, the dominant speaker is a person who has more linguistic choices than the
hearer.

1. The meaning and value of the material world: discourse analysis is not only
interested in speaking but also in writing.
2. Activities:  talk & act: the context delineates the meaning of certain things. Of
course, this automatically leads to obtaining certain readings.
2.1)- Locutionary act: neutral reading
2.2)- Illocutionary act: it is used to convey a specific meaning (intention), or
the so-called subtext (hidden meaning). In other words, the meaning is conveyed
implicitly.
3. Identities and relationships: it is noteworthy to mention that the way of speaking
determines the identity.
EX: YOU speak like a teacher.

This denotes that teachers have a specific way of speaking.

Edited By : ISMAIL ACHIBAN