Introduction to Discourse Analysis
,Contents:
• I ntroduction to Discourse
• What is Discourse?
• Paradigms in Linguistics
• What is Discourse Analysis?
• Historical view of discourse analysis
• Cohesion & Coherence
• Types of Wriiten and Spoken discourses
• Functions of Spoken and Written discourses
• Linguistic characteristics of spoken and written discourse
• Text and Discourse
• Scope of Discourse Analysis
,What is Discourse?
• “A conversation, especially of a formal nature; formal and orderl
expression of ideas in speech or writing; also such expression in the
of a sermon, treatise, etc.; a piece or unit of connected speech or wr
(Middle English: discours, from Latin: act of running about).”
(Longman Dictionary of the English Language, 19
, Two paradigms in linguistics
Two paradigms in linguistics viz formalist paradigm and functionalist paradigm ma
different background assumptions about the goals of a linguistic theory, the methods
studying language, and the nature of data and empirical evidence.
These differences in paradigm also influence definitions of discourse.
1. A definition as derived from formalist assumptions is that discourse is 'language
above the sentence or above the clause' (Stubbs 1983:1).
2. Another definition derived from the functionalist paradigm views discourse as
'language use.' This definition observes the relationship the discourse has with the
context.
3. A third definition of discourse attempts to bridge the formalist-functionalist
dichotomy. The relationship between form (structure) and function is an importa
issue in discourse.
,Contents:
• I ntroduction to Discourse
• What is Discourse?
• Paradigms in Linguistics
• What is Discourse Analysis?
• Historical view of discourse analysis
• Cohesion & Coherence
• Types of Wriiten and Spoken discourses
• Functions of Spoken and Written discourses
• Linguistic characteristics of spoken and written discourse
• Text and Discourse
• Scope of Discourse Analysis
,What is Discourse?
• “A conversation, especially of a formal nature; formal and orderl
expression of ideas in speech or writing; also such expression in the
of a sermon, treatise, etc.; a piece or unit of connected speech or wr
(Middle English: discours, from Latin: act of running about).”
(Longman Dictionary of the English Language, 19
, Two paradigms in linguistics
Two paradigms in linguistics viz formalist paradigm and functionalist paradigm ma
different background assumptions about the goals of a linguistic theory, the methods
studying language, and the nature of data and empirical evidence.
These differences in paradigm also influence definitions of discourse.
1. A definition as derived from formalist assumptions is that discourse is 'language
above the sentence or above the clause' (Stubbs 1983:1).
2. Another definition derived from the functionalist paradigm views discourse as
'language use.' This definition observes the relationship the discourse has with the
context.
3. A third definition of discourse attempts to bridge the formalist-functionalist
dichotomy. The relationship between form (structure) and function is an importa
issue in discourse.
