A discourse analysis research technique examines oral or written language in connection to its social setting. It seeks to comprehend how discourse is employed in practical contexts. Discourse analysis concentrates on the functions and effects of various linguistic forms, cultural norms and customs in communication, the dissemination of values, views, and presumptions, and the relationship between language use and its socio-political and historical background. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of discourse analysis and its various components.
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What is Discourse analysis?
Discourse can be defined as vocal or textual communication between individuals that consists of more than one sentence. It is important to note that conversation goes beyond language. Language studies can concentrate on the distinct meanings of words. The term “language” can comprise all grammatical and conceptual elements. Discourse extends further than this and examines the broader meanings that language in context conveys. It is vital to consider the discourse’s social, cultural, political, and historical context to grasp the deeper meaning communicated via language.
Discourse analysis extracts insights from the words used in a text or a data set. Transcripts of focus group discussions or a collection of interviews may be included in this corpus of data. Discourse analysis can take different forms. Some concentrate on language details, such as sentence structure or syntax, while others look at how language is employed to accomplish goals.
Discourse analysis is useful for solution-based research since it identifies the problems through language articulation in their socio-political and historical context. For instance, an evaluation of the language discourse can reveal perceived impressions of gender inequality and how the stereotypes are conveyed through language, which legitimises hyper-masculinity.
The unique viewpoint of discourse evaluation is that the researchers approach the social reality as mere construction codified through language. It expands upon that notion, derives the inferences from a subjective viewpoint of reality, and evaluates language beyond its literal significance.
When should you use discourse analysis?
The discourse analysis approach for your qualitative research depends upon the research aims, objectives and questions. Discourse analysis is useful when you want to investigate the usage of language and its role in the creation of meaning in various contexts. For example, you may explore and analyse the relation of language to the construction of socio-political and cultural realities. The analysis can also reveal the power imbalances in society and how it furthers the inequality in society. If you are confused about making a decision about how to use discourse analysis for your research paper, you can seek the help of experts at Masters Dissertation Help.
What is the difference between descriptive and narrative discourse?
Discourse analysis has two types of discourses that are descriptive and narrative. Let us review the differences between them.
Descriptive Discourse
Descriptive discourse focuses on describing things through the lens of the senses. The audience can create a mental image of the topic being addressed due to descriptive discourse. Examples of descriptive discourse are the descriptive sections of a novel or an essay. The presumption of objectivity in descriptive discourse is its most important characteristic. In this kind, the authors fully exclude themselves from the discussion. They never make an appearance with authorial commentary and do not produce any critical writing. The text is presented from the viewpoint of an entirely impartial collection of facts and figures as much as possible. The author refrains from expressing an opinion on what can be perceived as a gravely unfortunate circumstance, even when dealing with sensitive subjects. The author chooses the wording to appear impartial and reports events, concepts, and topics without emotion.
Types of Descriptive Discourse
Descriptive discourse encompasses the following two types of discourse:
Static Description
The words used in the static description engage the senses to create a mental image. Discourse’s static description includes the text’s technical elements. A clear description and unbiased definition of the details are provided in the technical form.
Process Description
The process description typically explains the many degrees or levels of development involved in producing the text. Imagination is used in process description to represent a text’s underlying meanings. The dominating impression about the subject being described is produced through suggestive phrases and connotations in process descriptions.
Narrative Discourse
A style of written or vocal communication known as narrative discourse involves narration or narrating a tale. It is a traditional kind of discourse that aids in identifying various forms of speaking and writing as well as various styles of communication. In some mediums, such as fiction, the narrative discourse is prevalent. Narrative discourse has a few important traits and properties. The first is that the story often develops in chronological sequence. Narrative discourse involves taking the reader on a journey to explain the events sequentially for the listener or reader to naturally develop a comprehension of the circumstance or event.
Narrative discourse encompasses the use of first-person and third-person pronouns. Third-person narration is common in narrative discourse. Narrative discourse also takes on many guises in various mediums. The narrative frequently takes the form of a continuous and sequential third-person narrative in fiction and various other types of text media. Narration frequently takes the form of a first-person narrative in various visual mediums, such as television and film, which occasionally uses voice-over. In the voice-over, distant but frequently connected pictures are accompanied by an off-screen voice that tells the story.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of discourse analysis?
Advantages
- It enables researchers to observe a topic from a higher vantage point, which helps them learn the rationale underlying the text.
- As it considers the social and historical circumstances, it is useful for analysing the underlying meaning of a spoken or written discourse.
- It helps to comprehend how language works and how discourse may encourage and support constructive social change.
Disadvantages
- It may be challenging to select the best discourse analysis approach for a given situation because there are so many different ways.
- Discourse analysis can take a lot of time.
- Some researchers claim that understanding a text’s underlying meaning requires nothing more than a deconstructive interpretation of it. It doesn’t offer solutions to issues raised by scientific studies.
Conclusion
Discourse analysis is a useful research method if you want to analyse the underlying meaning of a text and its socio-political context. It can help you understand the construction of reality through the employment of language and how certain practices are sustained over time with the help of language.
