The Literary Theory: Discourse Analysis
By Dr. Swatie
On 23rd October, Jabberwock organised a lecture on Discourse Analysis by Dr. Swatie as part of its 'Literary Theory' Series. The lecture began with the professor asking the audience to contemplate what discourse actually is, followed by a presentation on the plethora of meanings of discourse.
She began with Discourse in Linguistics, explaining the difference between textual and verbal communication in discourse. Michel Focault's works on Discourse is referenced, stating that Foucault theorised discourse as a group of statements or a regulated form of a number of statements.
Hereafter, Focault's interpretation of discourse largely focused on for the rest of the lecture. Dr. Swati goes on to elucidate the related terms in discourse, beginning with power. Power is both big and small, and productive, nebulous and ubiquitous in nature. It has no negatives, and it is not used to repress people. Sometimes, it is as people making a time-table for themselves.
Truth is another function of discourse, and questions the true value of discourse. Dr. Swati cited the leper colonies as one of the examples of truth in Discourse. She explained that as long as something sounds intellectually rich, it has the power to become a truth.
Foucault's work also commented on sexuality, and how it is interconnected to power and truth. Regulation of sexual activities, and treating it as a taboo ironically makes a person talk about it everyday. Similarly, Dr. Swati explains the function of utterances in Discourse through a children's game called Chinese Whisper, as well Focault's interpretation of the truth/falsification of assumptions being irrelevant in face of the actual assumption. Marxist literature is constantly referenced at this juncture, and Dr. Swati explained the main points of difference in the mentioned literature and Discourse Analysis.
The difference in treatment of Epistem in discourse is highlighted; discourse deems Epistem to be a process of discontinuity, and that it differs from ideology, which is a false consciousness. She gives the example of the rise of the feminist movement to convey her points.
The lecture drew to a close with several examples of discourse, a bibliography consisting of Focault's work on discourse, followed by a questionnaire session with the viewers.
She began with Discourse in Linguistics, explaining the difference between textual and verbal communication in discourse. Michel Focault's works on Discourse is referenced, stating that Foucault theorised discourse as a group of statements or a regulated form of a number of statements.
Hereafter, Focault's interpretation of discourse largely focused on for the rest of the lecture. Dr. Swati goes on to elucidate the related terms in discourse, beginning with power. Power is both big and small, and productive, nebulous and ubiquitous in nature. It has no negatives, and it is not used to repress people. Sometimes, it is as people making a time-table for themselves.
Truth is another function of discourse, and questions the true value of discourse. Dr. Swati cited the leper colonies as one of the examples of truth in Discourse. She explained that as long as something sounds intellectually rich, it has the power to become a truth.
Foucault's work also commented on sexuality, and how it is interconnected to power and truth. Regulation of sexual activities, and treating it as a taboo ironically makes a person talk about it everyday. Similarly, Dr. Swati explains the function of utterances in Discourse through a children's game called Chinese Whisper, as well Focault's interpretation of the truth/falsification of assumptions being irrelevant in face of the actual assumption. Marxist literature is constantly referenced at this juncture, and Dr. Swati explained the main points of difference in the mentioned literature and Discourse Analysis.
The difference in treatment of Epistem in discourse is highlighted; discourse deems Epistem to be a process of discontinuity, and that it differs from ideology, which is a false consciousness. She gives the example of the rise of the feminist movement to convey her points.
The lecture drew to a close with several examples of discourse, a bibliography consisting of Focault's work on discourse, followed by a questionnaire session with the viewers.
Written by Shreya Das