In general linguistics, discourse refers to any cohesive unit of language longer than a single sentence. It focuses on how sentences connect to create meaning in context, such as in conversations, speeches, or written texts. Linguists analyze (e.g., "however," "actually") to understand how speakers organize their thoughts and signal relationships between ideas. 2. Michel Foucault’s Philosophical "Discours"
The most influential modern development of the term comes from French philosopher Michel Foucault. For Foucault, discourse is not just language; it is a system of representation that governs what can be said and who can say it.
It acts as a form of social practice that produces and maintains power structures. By defining what is "normal" versus "abnormal," discourse exerts control over individuals. 3. Discourse Analysis (DA) Discours
Discourse creates "truths." For example, the discourse of medicine or law establishes certain ways of talking about the body or justice that become accepted as objective reality.
Below is an overview of its development and key conceptual applications: 1. Linguistic Definition In general linguistics, discourse refers to any cohesive
Viewed discourse as a set of stable rules (like grammar) that dictate how meaning is made.
Developed by thinkers like Jacques Derrida and Foucault, this view argues that discourse is fluid, unstable, and always tied to shifting historical and cultural contexts. It acts as a form of social practice
Analyzes how politicians use rhetoric and specific framing to influence public opinion and legitimize their actions. 4. Structuralist vs. Post-Structuralist Perspectives