Discourse Analysis Research Method in English Studies ppt

1. Discourse Analysis as a Research
Method in English Studies
(Understanding Language in Context)
Dr. E. Krishna Chaitanya
Associate Professor, Department of English
Central University of Kashmir

2. Introduction to Discourse Analysis ( DA)
• Definition: Discourse analysis is a research methodology that examines language in use,
considering its social, cultural, and historical contexts.
• Understands language as a tool for shaping identity, power relations, and social realities.
• Considers how discourse operates in social contexts & studies broader implications of
language use.
• Studies content of communication & structures and strategies that shape how messages
are delivered and interpreted.
• DA is interdisciplinary: insights from linguistics, sociology, psychology, and cultural
studies.
• It’s broad & powerful tool for exploring areas literature, media, and everyday communic.

3. Methodological Approaches to Discourse Analysis
Types of Discourse Analysis:
• Conversation Analysis (CA): Focuses on the organization of talk in interaction - turn-
taking, pauses, and repairs - studies micro-level features of spoken discourse &
mechanics of communication.
• Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA): Relationship between language & power, revealing
how discourse shapes and reflects social inequalities. Studies political texts/ media
representations/institutional discourse to uncover underlying ideologies and assumption
• Narrative Analysis: Concentrates on the structure and function of narratives - how
stories are told and meanings they convey. understanding personal & collective identities
through the lens of storytelling.

4. Methodological Approaches to Discourse Analysis
Data Collection:
• Wide range of texts for examination - transcripts of conversations, literary works, media
articles, speeches, and social media posts.
• Data choice should align with the research questions & study’s theoretical framework.
Analytical Frameworks:
• Frameworks and techniques aligns with specific approach taken.
• CDA may focus on identifying linguistic features: modality, presupposition, and
metaphor that reveal power dynamics.
• In contrast, narrative analysis prioritize themes, character development, plot structures.

5. Methodological Approaches to Discourse Analysis
Contextual Analysis:
• Understanding the context in which discourse occurs is crucial.
• Examines social, cultural, historical, and political factors that influence language use.
• Must consider how context shapes both the production and interpretation of discourse.
Interpretation and Presentation:
• After data analysis, interpret the findings and present via papers/presentations etc
• Discuss broader implications of findings: social issue/identity formation/cultural
practice

6. Applications of Discourse Analysis in English Studies
Literary Analysis:
• Examines how authors use language to construct characters, themes, and narratives.
• Analyzing dialogue, imagery, & narrative structure can reveal deeper meanings/critiques
embedded in literary texts. Language of characters says social attitudes/cultural tensions.
Media Studies:
• Examines how language in media texts influences public perceptions and ideologies.
• Analyzing news articles/advertisements/social media content, reveals how language
perpetuates stereotypes, constructs social norms, and shapes understanding of events.

7. Applications of Discourse Analysis in English Studies
Identity and Language: Explores how individuals construct their identities through language.
• Analysis of aspects: gender/race/class/identity markers are expressed and negotiated in
various contexts. Ex: varied language use in different social groups/settings, says issues of
belong/exclus
Educational Discourse: Applied to classroom interactions, curricula, and educational policies
to understand how language shapes learning experiences.
• Analyzing teacher-student dialogues or instructional materials can reveal underlying
pedagogical assumptions and power dynamics within educational contexts.
Political Discourse: Valuable in political language: speeches, debates, campaign materials.
• By examining how politicians use rhetoric and framing, it uncovers strategies employed to
persuade, manipulate, mobilize audiences. Insights to political ideologies and public
sentiments.

8. DA
Key Theorists
• Foucault: Power and knowledge dynamics
• Fairclough: Critical discourse analysis
• Bakhtin: Dialogism and heteroglossia
• Other influential scholars: Van Dijk, Wodak, Weiss
Research Questions
• How does language construct social reality?
• What power dynamics are at play in discourse?
• How do language and ideology intersect?

9. DA Methodology
Data Collection
• Texts (written, spoken, visual)
• Interviews
• Observations
• Online discourse
Data Analysis
• Contextualization
• Linguistic analysis
• Interpretation
• Critical evaluation

10. Benefits of Discourse Analysis
• Contextual Understanding: DA emphasizes the contextual approach to provide a more
comprehensive understanding of language use and to grasp how meaning is constructed in specific
social situations.
• Revealing Power Dynamics: By examining discourse, researchers can identify how language can
reinforce/challenge social inequalities, uncover power relations embedded in language about social
justice
• Interdisciplinary Insights: Draws from various disciplines; enriches analysis & scope of inquiry.
DA applies diverse theoretical frameworks and methodologies to their studies.
• Flexibility: DA can be applied to a wide range of texts and contexts (literary works, media
representations, or everyday conversations), making it a versatile method.
• Engagement with Current Issues: Examines current events and cultural trends. It fosters a deeper
understanding of how language shapes societal norms and collective consciousness.

11. Challenges and Conclusion
Challenges and Limitations
• Subjectivity: Researcher bias and interpretation.
• Contextual complexity: Accounting for historical, cultural, and social contexts.
• Methodological diversity: Integrating multiple approaches.
• Data availability
• Overgeneralizations
• Time-consuming nature
Conclusion
• Discourse analysis offers a nuanced understanding of language and power dynamics.
• Essential for English Studies research, informing critical thinking and effective communication.