Genre in Discourse

Summary

This lecture explores the concept of genre in discourse, highlighting its importance in communication and social interaction. The speaker explains how genres are defined as categories of artistic composition, such as music and literature, but also include everyday activities like social media posts and text messages. The lecture covers the role of genres in structuring communication, their connection to specific contexts, and how they are goal-oriented and socially driven. Examples illustrate how genres evolve into subgenres or text types. The significance of understanding genres is emphasized for both effective communication and language learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Genre is defined as a category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter, such as literature and music.
• 😀 Genres are essential in the field of discourse as they shape communication, with specific goals and circumstances of human communication influencing them.
• 😀 Speech genres are a concept introduced by Mikhail Bakhtin, highlighting how genres emerge from the specific context and goals of communication.
• 😀 Genres are composed of thematic content, style (linguistic choices), and compositional structure, and are driven by communication contexts.
• 😀 Genres are not created by individuals but are given to us through societal norms and communication needs, blending both mandatory and free aspects.
• 😀 Sub-genres represent how larger genres are realized through specific texts or forms, such as narratives realized through memes or social media posts.
• 😀 Text types, such as memes or posts on social media, are practical realizations of genres in the real world.
• 😀 Genre is both a staged and goal-oriented social activity, with different components or moves designed to achieve specific communicative purposes.
• 😀 Each genre has a structured composition that includes various stages or moves, such as a birthday greeting with components like address, greetings, and wishes.
• 😀 Understanding genres helps individuals navigate social activities and communication roles more effectively, as no text is genre-less in communication.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture on genre?

The main focus of the lecture is to help students understand the nature of genre, differentiate general and specific definitions of genre, comprehend the structure of big genres and subgenres, and recognize the communicative purpose of genres.

Why is the study of genre relevant to a discourse class?

The study of genre is relevant to discourse because genres are essential for understanding communication processes, and they shape how language is used in different social contexts. They also help organize and predict communication actions.

How does Mikhail Bakhtin define genre in communication?

Mikhail Bakhtin defines genre as a social phenomenon that emerges from the specific goals and circumstances of human communication. He emphasizes that genres are driven by communication contexts and are inseparable from thematic content, linguistic style, and compositional structure.

What is the relationship between genres and subgenres according to Susan Eggins?

Susan Eggins distinguishes between genres and subgenres by stating that genres refer to broad categories of communication, while subgenres are the specific realizations of these genres in actual texts. For example, the genre of narration can be realized through subgenres such as short stories or memes.

What does it mean that genres are both static and dynamic?

Genres are considered static because they follow established conventions and structures. However, they are also dynamic because they evolve and adapt to new contexts and communication needs over time.

How does the birthday message exemplify the concept of genre?

The birthday message is an example of a genre because it follows a structured format with specific stages: address, greeting, wishes, compliment, and closing. This structure shows how genres are goal-oriented and social activities with specific purposes.

What are the components or 'moves' of a birthday message as a genre?

The birthday message consists of several moves: 1) Address (e.g., 'Dear friend'), 2) Greeting (e.g., 'Happy Birthday'), 3) Wishes (e.g., 'May all your dreams come true'), 4) Compliment (e.g., 'I have been blessed to have you in my life'), and 5) Complementary closing (e.g., 'Yours always').

What role does communication context play in defining genres?

Communication context is crucial in defining genres because genres arise from specific communication needs and contexts, such as technical, social, or everyday interactions. The context determines how a genre is structured and used in practice.

Why are genres described as 'goal-oriented social activities'?

Genres are described as goal-oriented social activities because they have a purpose, whether it's to inform, entertain, or convey a message. They are also social activities because they involve interaction between the producer and the recipient of the message.

What does Vijay Kumar Bhatia mean by 'practicing genre is like playing a game'?

Vijay Kumar Bhatia compares practicing genre to playing a game because both involve understanding and manipulating rules and conventions. Success in using a genre effectively comes from knowing how to apply these rules skillfully rather than strictly adhering to them.