Discourse Analysis

Summary

This video delves into discourse analysis, exploring how language is studied beyond the sentence level. It introduces three key concepts: conversation analysis, which examines turn-taking and back channeling in dialogues; discourse analysis, focusing on how speakers construct meaning and identity through narratives; and critical discourse analysis, which views language use through the lens of power dynamics and societal issues. The video provides insights into linguistic structures and the social implications of language use.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Discourse analysis examines language beyond the sentence, focusing on extended stretches of naturally occurring language.
• 🗣️ Conversation analysis, emerging in the 1960s and 70s, studies how conversations are structured and how they work, emphasizing turn-taking and back channeling.
• 👥 Turn-taking in conversations is regulated by verbal and non-verbal cues, including volume, pitch, eye contact, and gesture.
• 🗨️ Adjacency pairs are common in conversations, often occurring at the start and end, and involve pairs of utterances that go together.
• 📝 Gail Jefferson developed a transcription system to detail conversation elements like pitch changes, pause lengths, and speech overlaps.
• 🌐 Discourse analysis looks at how speakers construct meaning and identity through language use, differing from conversation analysis which focuses on conversation structure.
• 👭 Debra Tannen's 2008 study on how women talk about their sisters illustrates discourse analysis by examining narrative themes and cultural ideologies.
• 🔎 Critical discourse analysis extends discourse analysis by considering power imbalances and societal structures, aiming to challenge and change unjust discourses.
• 🌟 Key figures in critical discourse analysis include Norman Fairclough, Pierre Bourdieu, and Michelle Foucault, who have contributed significantly to the field.
• 📚 The video provides a comprehensive overview of discourse analysis, conversation analysis, and critical discourse analysis, offering insights into language structure and social dynamics.

Q & A

What is discourse analysis?

Discourse analysis is the study of language beyond the sentence, examining extended stretches of naturally occurring language to understand how speakers construct meaning and notions of identity.

What are the three concepts discussed in the video?

The three concepts discussed in the video are conversation analysis, discourse analysis, and critical discourse analysis.

When did conversation analysis emerge and who were its pioneers?

Conversation analysis emerged in the 1960s and 70s through the work of Garfinkel, Sacks, Schegloff, and Jefferson.

What is the primary focus of conversation analysis?

The primary focus of conversation analysis is understanding how speakers make conversation work, including how conversations are structured and the conventions of turn-taking.

What are back channeling techniques?

Back channeling techniques are strategies used by listeners to indicate engagement with the speaker, such as nodding, saying 'yeah', 'uh-huh', or other non-verbal cues.

What are adjacency pairs in conversations?

Adjacency pairs are utterances that frequently co-occur, especially at the beginning and end of a conversation, like greetings and responses.

How does Debra Tannen's study on how women talk about their sisters relate to discourse analysis?

Tannen's study relates to discourse analysis by using the stories told by women to understand how they construct notions of identity through small end narratives, big end narratives, and master narratives.

What is the critical perspective in critical discourse analysis?

The critical perspective in critical discourse analysis includes the belief that societal problems are institutionalized, a commitment to challenging unjust discourse, and a goal of bringing about social change.

How does critical discourse analysis differ from discourse analysis?

Critical discourse analysis differs from discourse analysis by focusing on how language is used to construct meaning within the context of asymmetrical power relationships.

Who are some notable practitioners of critical discourse analysis mentioned in the video?

Notable practitioners of critical discourse analysis mentioned in the video include Norman Fairclough, Pierre Bourdieu, and Michel Foucault.

What is the significance of Gail Jefferson's transcription system in conversation analysis?

Gail Jefferson's transcription system is significant as it allows for detailed tracking of conversation elements such as pitch changes, pause lengths, and overlapping speech, providing a comprehensive analysis of conversation structure.