2004

Basic Concepts of

Discourse Analysis

This paper has been designed to provide an efficient overview of theoretical

discourse analysis by discussing the following questions: ­ What is discourse

analysis ­ defining the difference between the terms text and discourse and

discourse analysis itself. As wel as: What are the basic concepts and aspects of

discourse analysis ­ taking a closer look at context, coherence, the importance

of background knowledge and the differences between spoken and written

language. And final y: What are the uses of discourse analysis ­ investigating on

the problem of application and social relevance of discourse analysis.

Alexander Täuschel

05.07.2004

Basic Concepts of Discourse Analysis

Alexander Täuschel

Inhaltsverzeichnis

I.) Introduction 2

II.) What is Discourse Analysis? 2

II. a) What is Discourse?

2

II. b)

What is Text?

2

II. c) Some Attempts to Define Discourse Analysis

3

III.) Concepts and Aspects of Discourse Analysis 4

III. a) Context

4

III. b) Coherence

5

III. c) Background Knowledge

5

III. d) Differences between Spoken and Written Language

6

IV.) The Application and Social Relevance of Discourse Analysis 7

VI.) Bibliography 9

1

Basic Concepts of Discourse Analysis

Alexander Täuschel

I.) Introduction

This paper refers to the introductory course to language and language learning, parts I. and

II. during winter term 2003/2004 and summer term 2004. The issue discourse analysis is "not

a simple enterprise", as Dijk already points out (1985:10), and its complexity forces me to

make a specific choice of extracts from the whole field. I wil try to provide an efficient over-

view of theoretical discourse analysis by investigating the fol owing questions:

Ø What is discourse analysis? ­ Defining the difference between the terms `text′ and

`discourse′ and `discourse analysis′ itself

Ø What are the basic concepts and aspects of discourse analysis? ­ Taking a closer look

at context, coherence, the importance of background knowledge and the differences

between spoken and written language

Ø Final y: What are the uses of discourse analysis? ­ Investigating on the problem of

application and social relevance of discourse analysis

II.) What is Discourse Analysis?

II. a) What is Discourse?

According to Nunan, the expression discourse is being used in a number of different ways

and there happens to be disagreement on its use. But at least we can say that it needs to be

distinguished from the expression text1 (cf. 1993:6). Here are two attempts to define dis-

course:

1. "

discourse:

A continuous stretch of (especially spoken) language larger than a sentence,

often constituting a coherent unit, such as a sermon argument joke or narrative" (Crystal

1992:25)

2. "

discourse:

stretches of language perceived to be meaningful, unified and purposive"

(Cook 1989:156)

II. b) What is Text?

Crystal and Cook offer one definition each on the term `text′:

1. "

text:

A piece of natural y occurring spoken, written, or signed discourse identified for

purposes of analysis. It is often a language unit with a definable communicative function,

such as a conversation, a poster." (Crystal 1992:72)

2. "

text:

a stretch of language interpreted formally, without context" (Cook 1989:158)

So the two key terms `discourse′ and `text′ seem to be interchangeable for some com-

mentators, while others draw a strict line between them. Nunan states that "discourse

brings together language, the individuals producing the language, and the context within

1 also see II. b.) of this paper

2