The present paper has shown the practical part of CDA according to three scholars, namely they are Norman Fairclough, Ruth Wodak, and Teun van Dijk. Their approaches are somehow different in method and way of interpretation. While Fairclough is brought up on the systemic-functional model of theory and thus often concentrates on rather limited amounts of research material, Wodak turns to sociolinguistics and ethnography with an emphasis on corpus-based research and on work with different approaches with a variety of empirical data as well as background information. However, the notion that language is inherently social remains a key assumption in both approaches.
On the other hand, similarly to Fairclough, van Dijk acknowledges three different perspectives; text, discourse practice and sociocultural practice, and emphasizes on the link between textual analysis and sociocultural analysis. However, van Dijk differentiates himself from both Fairclough and Wodak in his understanding of social events or of social institutions and power relations. To van Dijk, social cognitions mediate between micro- and macro-levels of society, between discourse and action, between the individual and the group. Therefore, the focus on social cognition governs the process of analysis.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. CDA as Practice
3. Fairclough's Social Analysis
3.1 Terminology and Definitions
3.2 Methodology
3.3 Linguistic Analysis
3.4 Discursive Analysis
3.5 Social Analysis
3.6 Forms, meanings and effects
4. Wodak's Approach: Discourse-Historical Analysis
4.1 Methodology
4.2 The Linguistic and Discursive Model in Discourse-Historical Approach
4.3 Linguistic and Discursive Strategies
4.4 Pragmatic Strategies
5. Van Dijk's Socio-cognitive Approach
5.1 Terminology and definitions
5.2 Methodology
5.3 Action
5.4 context
5.5 Ideology
5.6 Power
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a practical, transdisciplinary approach. It seeks to demystify the methods of major scholars in the field to enable researchers to construct practical analytical frameworks for their own work, specifically examining how discourse mediates social and power relations.
- Comparison of the analytical approaches of Fairclough, Wodak, and van Dijk.
- Integration of linguistic, discursive, and social analysis.
- Examination of the interplay between language, ideology, and power structures.
- Practical application of discourse analysis to social and political issues.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Terminology and Definitions
This section shows the terminology that Fairclough used, then his methodology of analysis is presented. Text, to Fairclough (2003), is any actual instance of language either in written or spoken form with sound and semiotic form, whereas discourse is defined as:
- … ways of representing aspects of the world – the processes, relations and structures of the material world, the ‘mental world’ of thoughts, feelings, beliefs and so forth and, the social world …different discourses are different perspectives on the world, and they are associated with the different relations people have to the world. (Fairclough, 2003, p.124)
Discourse is used in three different ways. The first usage is an uncountable noun or an abstract sense (i.e., semiosis), in which it is seen as a particular view of language in use, and an element of all social processes. Discourse, in this perspective, refers to 'language use as social practice' and it is both constitutive and constituting. In other words, discourse is constituted by existing social practices as well as it is constituting to them. Secondly, discourse is understood as the kind of language used within a specific field, such as political or scientific discourse. The third usage is a countable noun, figuring in three main ways in social practices as ways of representing the world (i.e., discourses), ways of interacting (i.e., genres), and ways of beings or identities (i.e., styles) (Fairclough, 2003: 27). Fairclough (2003) defines genre as discourse which is part of social activity. While genres may be typical patterns of discourse for particular purposes in particular contexts, there are instances when genres are used which are not typical for a particular purpose or context. Fairclough called the latter type a "disembedded genre" (2003: 68), which is lifted out of its usual context, and used for a new purpose in a different context. For example, if the typical genre of advertising a product in a magazine is used to advertise an academic post in a university, such genre has a particular ideological function, and contributes to the representation of learning as commodity.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the purpose of the paper, framing CDA as a transdisciplinary approach that links discourse with societal structures through the work of key theorists.
2. CDA as Practice: This chapter reviews CDA as a practical, context-sensitive approach for empirical studies, emphasizing that it is a set of theoretical assumptions rather than a single fixed methodology.
3. Fairclough's Social Analysis: This chapter details Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework, connecting textual, discursive, and social analysis to understand how language shapes and is shaped by social practices.
4. Wodak's Approach: Discourse-Historical Analysis: This chapter explores Wodak's approach, which emphasizes historical context and the interdisciplinary integration of background knowledge to explain complex social interactions.
5. Van Dijk's Socio-cognitive Approach: This chapter outlines van Dijk’s focus on the role of social cognition, mental models, and the interplay between micro-level language use and macro-level social power.
6. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the three approaches, highlighting their common goal of uncovering hidden power relations and ideologies in discourse while acknowledging their distinct analytical priorities.
Keywords
Critical Discourse Analysis, CDA, Social Practice, Power Relations, Discourse-Historical Approach, Socio-cognitive Approach, Fairclough, Ruth Wodak, Teun van Dijk, Intertextuality, Ideology, Language in Use, Political Discourse, Systemic Functional Linguistics, Social Cognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work provides a practical overview of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), exploring how scholars like Fairclough, Wodak, and van Dijk analyze the relationship between discourse, society, and power.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
Central themes include the methodology of CDA, the link between language and social practice, the role of ideology in communication, and how power is exercised or abused through discourse.
What is the primary goal of this research?
The goal is to demystify different CDA approaches so that researchers can select or combine appropriate methods for their own empirical work.
Which scientific approaches are examined?
The paper covers Fairclough’s social analysis, Wodak’s discourse-historical approach, and van Dijk’s socio-cognitive framework.
What does the main body address?
The main body breaks down the terminology, definitions, and specific analytical steps used by each of the three major theorists to conduct critical discourse analysis.
How would you characterize the work using keywords?
Key terms include Critical Discourse Analysis, power, social practice, ideology, historical context, social cognition, and interdisciplinary analysis.
How does Fairclough distinguish between "constructing" and "construing" the social world?
Fairclough uses this distinction to argue that while social institutions are socially constructed (really made), they become realities that affect and limit the textual construction of the world.
What is the specific role of "context models" in van Dijk's approach?
Context models act as cognitive devices that mediate between discourse and social structures, ensuring that language users adapt their speech to different communicative situations.
- Citation du texte
- Dr. Anwar Elsharkawy (Auteur), 2012, Critical Discourse Analysis and Discourse of Power, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350938
