Discourse: A Critical Introduction (Key Topics in Sociolinguistics) by Blommaert, Jan

ISBN: 9780521535311

Cambridge University Press, 07 March 2005

Paperback, 314 pages

Organized thematically, this introduction outlines the basic principles and moves on to examine the methods and theory of CDA (critical discourse analysis). Topics covered include text and context, language and inequality, choice and determination, history and process, ideology and identity. Jan Blommaert focuses on how language can offer a crucial understanding of wider aspects of power relations, arguing that CDA should specifically analyze the effects of power.

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The major contribution of this book is its emphasis on global contexts and their importance for discourse analysis. The author shows in a convincing way that consideration must be given to inequality at a much wider level than only in isolated texts if patterns of inequality are to be fully uncovered and exposed. The particular instances of discourse analysis presented in the book are also exceptionally thorough and well argued. I have no doubt that 'Discourse: A Critical Introduction' will have an excessive impact on the study of discourse, communication and power relations in the future." - Johanna Barodal, University of Bergan, Norway

Book Description
This 2005 book offers a critical approach to discourse, outlining the basic principles, methods and theory of critical discourse analysis.

About the Author
Jan Blommaert is Professor of African Linguistics and Sociolinguistics and head of the Department of African Languages and Cultures at Ghent University.