Critical discourse analysis

Critical discourse analysis ( in the English language: Critical Discourse Analysis ) is generally understood as a linguistic research program with great theories and methodological diversity. My research focuses upon social problems, and attention is particularly directed to the relationship between language and power or domination. Characteristic of the Critical Discourse Analysis are interdisciplinarity and the consideration of inter- textual and inter discourse relations and the historical context.

Central concepts according to Wodak

Discourse

Discourse is understood as a social practice that includes discursive events, real situations, institutions and social structures. The practice engages in the discourse, in turn, changed the situation and structures ". Discourse is socially constitutive as well as socially conditioned "

Concept of critique

The term "Critical" or "criticism" implies several aspects in this context. On the one hand empirically collected data to be set in their social context, so that essential properties as the interconnectivity of social and political engagement and sociologically sound structure of our society can be made visible. At the same time means " Critical" also political statement and to focus on the reflection of their own methods of investigation. The "criticism" pursues the goal of the social actors identify their own interests and to make them aware.

Ideology

Critical discourse analysis considers ideology as a means of construction and transmission of meaning. She is interested in how language ideologies that play a crucial role in the creation and maintenance of unequal power relations, mediated in various social institutions. That is symbolic forms are examined on whether they produce and support rule.

Power

The concept of power is the ratio of inequalities in social structures. It is assumed that any speech situation is distorted by such power structures. Language is not the cause of power, but as a medium of domination and social violence it enables the expression of domination, but also their subversion. Critical discourse analysis makes those linguistic forms that are used in handling and dealing with power to their investigation.

Context

Critical discourse analysis summarizes the notion of context to the point that in a text study the historical developments of the discursive practice, intertextuality and the interdiscursivity must be observed. The deconstruction of the socio- political and historical context in which the discursive events are embedded is essential. This interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to substantiate the theoretical context.