Critical discourse analysis

Subtitle:the articulation of power and ideology in texts

In memory of Jan Blommaert, who introduced us to CDA and taught us the power of language. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is a systematic, linguistic analysis of discourse in its social context. As a qualitative method, CDA regards a text as the empirical manifestation of an underlying discourse and hence relates the analysis of the text to broader discursive practices as well as to social, economic and political processes. When applying CDA, you start from the idea that language is not neutral in the sense that by representing the world through the use of language, you will always actively construct a specific reality with a specific meaning given to it. CDA clearly manifested itself within the field of social sciences from the mid-2000s onwards and has become a popular methodological option to consider when a study is set up around social issues or questions of power/exclusion and ideology, driven by a critical stance on behalf of the researcher. Despite its increasing popularity as a qualitative method to examine semiotic content and texts within their broader context, undertaking a research project with discourse analysis often proves to be quite challenging to many students and scholars alike. While there is no single or simple definition of discourse, as such, the same goes for the number and nature of approaches to discourse analysis. In addition, and contrary to, for example, surveys or experiments, there is no straightforward or clear hands-on methodological toolbox. Approaching discourse analysis for the first time can feel confusing and complex. There are a wide range of options and approaches and a lot of seemingly abstract and conceptual ideas. But it is also a flexible and powerful approach. It allows you to select, combine and use the methodology’s inherent flexibility to create an approach that is perfectly suited for one’s own research plans.

ISBN:978-1-5297-3041-8

Publication year:2023

Keywords:H1 Book chapter

Accessibility:Closed