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Critical Discourse Analysis: A Brief Introduction

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to uncover how language perpetuates social power structures and ideologies. It examines both spoken and written communication beyond surface-level meanings. CDA has evolved from the work of scholars like Foucault and Fairclough and is applied globally to issues like politics, media, and education to critique the role of language in social inequalities.

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550 views

Critical Discourse Analysis: A Brief Introduction

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to uncover how language perpetuates social power structures and ideologies. It examines both spoken and written communication beyond surface-level meanings. CDA has evolved from the work of scholars like Foucault and Fairclough and is applied globally to issues like politics, media, and education to critique the role of language in social inequalities.

Uploaded by

riaz6076
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Critical Discourse Analysis

(CDA)
Group 2
DISCOURSE
Definition: Discourse refers to language in use, including
both spoken and written communication. It
encompasses not only the words themselves but also
the ways in which they are organized and the social
context in which they occur.
Scope: Discourse extends beyond individual sentences
or utterances to encompass larger units of
communication, such as conversations, interviews,
speeches, articles, and more.
Key Point: Discourse is a broad term that captures the
study of language as it functions in communication and
social interaction.
Discourse Analysis
• :
• Definition: Discourse analysis is an approach or method used
to study and analyze written or spoken language in its social
context. It involves examining the structure, patterns, and
functions of discourse to understand how language is used to
convey meaning and shape social realities.
• Scope: Discourse analysis can focus on various aspects of
language, including grammar, vocabulary, rhetoric, and the
relationship between language and power.
• Key Point: Discourse analysis aims to uncover the implicit
meanings, social dynamics, and ideologies embedded in
language use
Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)
• Definition: Critical Discourse Analysis is a specific approach
within discourse analysis that goes beyond the surface-level
analysis of language structure and seeks to uncover the
underlying power relations, social structures, and ideologies
that are reflected and perpetuated through language use.
• Scope: CDA is often concerned with issues of power, inequality,
and social justice. It examines how language contributes to the
construction and reinforcement of social norms, ideologies,
and hierarchies.
• Key Point: Critical Discourse Analysis aims to reveal and
critique the ways in which language can be used to legitimize
or challenge existing power structures and social inequalities.
Evolution of CDA

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) has evolved


over time and has been shaped by contributions
from various scholars and disciplines. While it's
challenging to pinpoint a single origin, it is
possible to trace the development and evolution
of CDA through key milestones and influential
figures.
Prominent Figures in CDA
• Michel Foucault (1926-1984): Foucault's ideas on power,
discourse, and knowledge have greatly influenced CDA.
His work emphasized the relationship between language
and power, and his concepts, such as discourse analysis,
provided a foundation for critical approaches to language.
• Norman Fairclough (b. 1941): Fairclough is often
considered a key figure in the development of CDA. In the
1980s, he integrated ideas from linguistics, sociology, and
critical theory to develop a systematic approach to
analyzing the relationship between language, power, and
ideology.
Three-Dimensional Model:

• Fairclough introduced a three-dimensional


model of discourse analysis, consisting of text
analysis, discourse practice, and sociocultural
practice. This model emphasizes the
interconnectedness of linguistic analysis,
social practices, and power structures.
• Further Development:
• Scholars such as Teun A. van Dijk, Ruth Wodak, and others
expanded and refined CDA, contributing to its development as a
multifaceted and interdisciplinary approach.
• Teun A. van Dijk (b. 1943): Van Dijk has been influential in the
application of CDA to various discourses, including media,
politics, and racism. His work emphasizes the role of cognition
and social context in discourse analysis.
• Ruth Wodak (b. 1950): Wodak has made significant
contributions to the study of discourse, particularly in relation
to politics and social issues. She has emphasized the importance
of context and the discursive construction of social identities.
Research and CDA
• Global Applications:
– CDA has been applied globally to various contexts, including political discourse, media
discourse, educational discourse, and more. Scholars from different cultural and
linguistic backgrounds have adapted and extended CDA principles to analyze power
relations and social structures in diverse settings.
• Interdisciplinary Influences:
– CDA has drawn from and contributed to various disciplines, including linguistics,
sociology, political science, and cultural studies. This interdisciplinary approach has
enriched the understanding of how language shapes and reflects societal dynamics.
• Technological Advances:
– The advent of digital communication and new media has opened up new avenues for
CDA. Scholars have applied CDA to analyze online discourse, social media, and other
digital platforms to explore how power relations and ideologies are manifested in
these contexts.
Key Ideas in CDA
• Discourse:
– In CDA, discourse refers to language use in communication,
encompassing both spoken and written texts. It extends beyond
individual sentences to include larger units of communication, such
as conversations, speeches, and written documents.
• Power:
– Power is a central concept in CDA, referring to the ability to
influence, control, or shape outcomes. CDA examines how power is
exercised and reflected in language, including how certain
discourses contribute to the legitimation or challenge of existing
power structures.
KEY Ideas in CDA
• Ideology:
Ideology refers to a system of beliefs, values, and ideas
that underlie and shape societal structures. CDA analyzes
how ideologies are embedded in language and how they
influence social practices and power relations.
• Hegemony:
Hegemony refers to the dominance of a particular group's
worldview or ideology over others. CDA explores how
dominant discourses contribute to the establishment and
maintenance of hegemonic structures within society.
Key Ideas in CDA
• Normalization:
– Normalization involves the process of making certain
practices, values, or ideologies appear normal and taken for
granted. CDA examines how language contributes to the
normalization of certain social norms and power relations.
• Social Practice:
– Social practice in CDA refers to the broader social activities
and actions in which language is embedded. It involves
understanding how language is used in various contexts and
how these contexts contribute to the reproduction or
transformation of social structures.
Key Ideas in CDA
• Multimodality:
– Multimodality involves the analysis of various modes of
communication, including verbal and non-verbal elements.
In CDA, understanding how different modes contribute to
meaning is important for a comprehensive analysis of
discourse.
• Interdiscursivity:
– Interdiscursivity refers to the ways in which different
discourses intersect and influence each other. CDA examines
how discourses from various domains may interact to
produce meaning and contribute to power dynamics.

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