Dimensions of Discourse / Dimensions of Discourse Analysis

Title

Dimensions of Discourse / Dimensions of Discourse Analysis

Description

The approach I have adopted is based upon a three-dimensional conception of discourse, and correspondingly a three-dimensional method of discourse analysis. Discourse, and an specific instance of discursive practice, is seen as simultaneously (i) a language text, spoken or written, (ii) discourse practice (text production and text interpretation), (iii) sociocultural practice. Furthermore, a piece of discourse is embedded within sociocultural practice at a number of levels; in the immediate situation, in the wider institution or organization, and at a societal level; … The method of discourse analysis includes linguistic description of the language text; interpretation of the relationship between the (productive and interpretive) discursive processes and the text, and explanation of the relationship between the discursive processes and the social processes. A special feature of the approach is that the link between sociocultural practice and text is mediated by discourse practice; how a text is produced or interpreted, in the sense of what discursive practices and conventions are drawn from, what order(s) of discourse and how they are articulated together, depends upon the nature of the sociocultural practice which the discourse is a part of (including the relationship to existing hegemonies); the nature of the discourse practice of text production shapes the text, and leaves 'traces' in surface features of the text; and the nature of discourse practices of text interpretation determines how the surface features of a text will be interpreted. [The figure presents] a diagrammatic representation of this approach.

Designer

Fairclough, Norman

Date

1995

Source

Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language

Bibliographic Citation

Fairclough, Norman. 1995. Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language. Longman. Pages 97-98.

is depiction of attribute

Square

is composed of

Square

has attribute

Solid Line

use feature

Brace

depict things of type

Structural or Hierarchical

Coverage

communication

discourse

language

sociology

text