Critical Discourse Analysis : the main basic points
(see Fairclough, 2010)
(cf. Gramsci; Foucault; Bourdieu)
CDA is a series of relations with internal and external interactions
- these will be layered and will interact
CDA is concerned with meaning and making meaning
CDA presents an analysis of instances of language seen as discourse
CDA offers a highly (and densely) contextualised view of language
CDA is transformative in that it aims to change society by its critique of linguistic
practice
CDA is bound to be interdisciplinary or even transdisciplinary
CDA offers both construal and construction
CDA is theory-driven and will focus on discourse, but never exclusively (‘language
is not enough’)
CDA attempts to connect the micro-analysis of texts with the social analysis of
practices and institutions
CDA also produces its own discourse (which should be critiqued), as a
transformational technique will by definition alter its own tools (c.f. Halliday’s
textual function of language)
CDA is generally critical of discourse-level linguistics for ignoring significant social
aspects and not attempting full explanation of socio-linguistic situations and events
CDA has also observed that discourse can have a role in legitimacy
CDA offers a contribution to the concept of ideology: offering a definition,
‘meaning in the service of power’ and prescient observations such as,
the norms of interaction may be ideological
power can order discourse and create dominance (and perpetuate types)
ideology can position people as subjects
we note that discourse can also be ideologically creative
meanings can achieve stability in social practices and structures
truth is textually, ideologically and socially mediated
