Research Article
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Awareness of Critical Discourse Analysis Underpins Learners’ Sociolinguistic Competence and Language Use

Year 2017, , 349 - 366, 25.09.2017
https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.461043

Abstract








As a special approach in discourse analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) aims to study the
discursive conditions and consequences of power abuse practised by dominant groups or institutions (van
Dijk, 1995). It contributes to raising awareness of the discursive strategies employed by elite groups in
order to control the minds of minor ones. It permits them to free themselves from the compulsions and
limitations that deprive them of their right to think critically and have the freedom of choice. In the
discipline of
language learning, learners’ awareness of CDA enables them to read critically and produce
language in more logical manner. It is one way to empower them with adequate reading and writing
strategies and to enhance their consciousness of using speech acts in meaningful context. This paper
analyses a text following the framework of text analysis proposed by Fairclough (1992). The authentic
text was selected reflecting one aspect of the British culture that does not have the common agreement of
the ruling parties in the British community. It holds significant debate between representatives of the
Conservative Party and the Labour Party that was taking over at that time. The analysis shows how the
lexical and syntactic connotations reflect the attitudes of each Party and the newspaper publishing this
article as well. The paper provides insights into how CDA can enhance learners’ sociolinguistic
competence and language use. 




References

  • Brown, G. & Yule, G. (1985). Discourse Analysis. Cambridge: CUP.
  • Canale, M. (1983). "From Communicative Competence to Communicative Language Pedagogy" In J. Richards, J. and R. Schmidt (eds.) Language and Communication, London: Longman, p.2-27.
  • Cots, J. (2006). Teaching with an Attitude: Critical Discourse Analysis in EFL Teaching. ELT Journal, 60(4), 336-345.
  • Coulthard, R. M. (2001). On analyzing and evaluating written text. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Dudley-Evans, T. (2001). Genre analysis: An approach to text analysis for ESP. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Erton, I. (2000). Contribution of discourse analysis to language teaching. Hacettepe University Education Faculty Magazine, 19, 201-211.
  • Fairclough, N. (1992). Discourse and Social Change. London: Polity Press.
  • Fowler, R. (1996). On Critical Linguistics 1. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Francis, G. (2001). Labelling discourse: an aspect of nominal-group lexical cohesion. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Gee, J. P. (1990). Social Linguistics and Literacies: Ideology in Discourses. London: The Falmer Press.
  • Gee, J. P. (2001). An Introduction to discourse Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Halliday, M. A. K. (1978). Language and Social Semiotics. London: Edward Arnold.
  • He, A. W. (2003). Discourse Analysis. In Aronoff, M. and Rees-Miller, J. (eds.) The Handbook of Linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Co.
  • Hoey, M. (1996). A Clause-relational analysis of selected dictionary entries: Contrast and compatibility in the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Hoey, M. (2001). Signaling in Discourse: A functional analysis of a common discourse pattern in written and spoken English. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • McCarthy, M. (1991). Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers. Cambridge: CUP.
  • Richards, J. C., Platt, J. and Platt, H. (1993). Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. England: Longman Group UK Limited.
  • Sampson, G. (1980). School of Linguistics: Competition and Evaluation. London: Longman.
  • Tenorio, E. H. (2011). Critical Discourse Analysis: An Overview. The record retrieved from http://ojs.ub.gu.se/ojs/index.php/njes/article/viewFile/658/609 on 02/05/2016.
  • Van Dijk, T. A. (1995). Aims of Critical Discourse Analysis. Japanese Discourse, 1, 17-27.
  • Van Dijk, T. A. (1996). Discourse, Power and Access. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Wallace, C. (1992). Critical literacy awareness in the EFL classroom. In Fairclough, N. (ed.) Critical Language Awareness. London: Longman.
  • Winter, E. (2001). Clause relations as information structure: Two basic text structures in English. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Wodak, R. (2007). What is Critical Discourse Analysis? Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 8(2).
Year 2017, , 349 - 366, 25.09.2017
https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.461043

Abstract

References

  • Brown, G. & Yule, G. (1985). Discourse Analysis. Cambridge: CUP.
  • Canale, M. (1983). "From Communicative Competence to Communicative Language Pedagogy" In J. Richards, J. and R. Schmidt (eds.) Language and Communication, London: Longman, p.2-27.
  • Cots, J. (2006). Teaching with an Attitude: Critical Discourse Analysis in EFL Teaching. ELT Journal, 60(4), 336-345.
  • Coulthard, R. M. (2001). On analyzing and evaluating written text. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Dudley-Evans, T. (2001). Genre analysis: An approach to text analysis for ESP. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Erton, I. (2000). Contribution of discourse analysis to language teaching. Hacettepe University Education Faculty Magazine, 19, 201-211.
  • Fairclough, N. (1992). Discourse and Social Change. London: Polity Press.
  • Fowler, R. (1996). On Critical Linguistics 1. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Francis, G. (2001). Labelling discourse: an aspect of nominal-group lexical cohesion. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Gee, J. P. (1990). Social Linguistics and Literacies: Ideology in Discourses. London: The Falmer Press.
  • Gee, J. P. (2001). An Introduction to discourse Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Halliday, M. A. K. (1978). Language and Social Semiotics. London: Edward Arnold.
  • He, A. W. (2003). Discourse Analysis. In Aronoff, M. and Rees-Miller, J. (eds.) The Handbook of Linguistics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Co.
  • Hoey, M. (1996). A Clause-relational analysis of selected dictionary entries: Contrast and compatibility in the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Hoey, M. (2001). Signaling in Discourse: A functional analysis of a common discourse pattern in written and spoken English. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • McCarthy, M. (1991). Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers. Cambridge: CUP.
  • Richards, J. C., Platt, J. and Platt, H. (1993). Longman Dictionary of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. England: Longman Group UK Limited.
  • Sampson, G. (1980). School of Linguistics: Competition and Evaluation. London: Longman.
  • Tenorio, E. H. (2011). Critical Discourse Analysis: An Overview. The record retrieved from http://ojs.ub.gu.se/ojs/index.php/njes/article/viewFile/658/609 on 02/05/2016.
  • Van Dijk, T. A. (1995). Aims of Critical Discourse Analysis. Japanese Discourse, 1, 17-27.
  • Van Dijk, T. A. (1996). Discourse, Power and Access. In Caldas-Coulthard, C. R. and Coulthard, M. (eds.) Texts and Practices: Readings in Critical Discourse Analysis, London: Routledge.
  • Wallace, C. (1992). Critical literacy awareness in the EFL classroom. In Fairclough, N. (ed.) Critical Language Awareness. London: Longman.
  • Winter, E. (2001). Clause relations as information structure: Two basic text structures in English. In Coulthard, R. M. (ed.) Advances in Written Text Analysis. London: Routledge.
  • Wodak, R. (2007). What is Critical Discourse Analysis? Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 8(2).
There are 24 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Fawzi Al Ghazali This is me

Publication Date September 25, 2017
Published in Issue Year 2017

Cite

APA Al Ghazali, F. (2017). Awareness of Critical Discourse Analysis Underpins Learners’ Sociolinguistic Competence and Language Use. Eurasian Journal of Applied Linguistics, 3(2), 349-366. https://doi.org/10.32601/ejal.461043