sites.google.comhttps://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/all-about-linguistics/branches/discourse-analysis/example-researchExample Research: Critical Discourse AnalysisSearch this siteBranches of Linguistics > Discourse Analysis > In this section of the website, we will look in depth at one particular aspect of discourse analysis: the field ofCritical Discourse Analysis (CDA). What is CDA?Critical Discourse Analysis is a form of discourse analysis that studies the relationship between discourseand ideology (a set of beliefs, attitudes and behaviours that constitute a perspective on the world).[1] Itfocuses on critiquing social injustice, and has strong links to the study of language and power.[1] Most criticaldiscourse analysts approach a text with a political goal or agenda of some kind, and are often advocates forsocial justice and social change, seeking to show how a text could be biased towards a particular ideology.[1] Here are a few words from Sam Kirkham, Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Sheffield, about CDA:What is Critical Discourse Analysis? A critical research perspectiveCritical Discourse Analysis can be used to analyse texts covering a wide range of topics, for example:racism, sexism, homophobia, politics, immigration, crime and many more. The reasons why critical discourseanalysts study these topics is usually political motivated. Almost any text (although, usually articles) writtenabout these topics can be analysed using CDA, as journalists constructing these texts have to make anumber of decisions in how an ideology will be represented. For example, choices of who to take quotesfrom, terms used to name someone, what perspective the text is written from, what statistics are used, etc.can all have an impact on the ideology that the text portrays overall.[2] The importance of contextCDA emphasises the importance of studying texts in their fullsocial and historical context[1]. Critical discourse analystsgenerally agree that there are three levels of discourse context:Macro, Meso and Micro. At the macro level, the analysis ofcontext asseses the relationship between the text and broadersocial processes and ideologies; for example, what social issuesare of particular importance at the time the text was created. Atthe meso level, analysis focuses on the context of production andreception of the text; where was the text made? Who was itwritten by? What perspective might this person want to promote?What kind of person might read this text? etc. Finally, the microlevel of discourse context simply looks at what is actually beingsaid in the text, and what linguistic features and devices are being used to depict an idea. Linguistic analysis in CDAA lot can be inferred from the lexical and grammatical choices made by the author of a text. These linguisticchoices are not ideologically random, and have purposefully been used to portray a particular idea. Here aresome common linguistic devices studied by critical discourse analysts.Active or Passive voice[1]The use of an active verb gives a clear picture of who performed a particular action, and towhom, for example: "Police attack protestors".The use of a passive verb states what has been done, and to whom, but does not blameanyone in particular for the action, for example: "Protestors attacked".Alternatively, nominalisation can be used, where the noun form of the verb is used to createeven more ambiguity, for example: "Attack on protestors".Naming[1]The ways in which people are named can also perpetuate ideologies. For example, thenewspaper headline "five Asian youths involved in armed robbery" creates a very differentpicture than "five young men involved in armed robbery".Similarly, the way people are described in texts, or after giving quotes can present two differentpictures, for example: "Dr Sarah Jones" creates a different picture than "Single mother of two,Sarah Jones".Pre-modifiersPre-modified nouns can present varying views of a topic. For example, "gay marriage" or"same-sex marriage" implies that this is essentially different from hetero-sexual marriage.Indirect quotesThis is particularly common, when the results of a poll are being used, for example "poll shows70% oppose gay marriage", however there may be no evidence of reported speech saying this.ExampleHere is an example of an article we have analysed using Critical Discourse Analysis:Article reproduced by kind permission ofThe Guardian. The original article can be found here:www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/21/clashes-beirut-army-anti-assad?INTCMP=SRCH Summary of AnalysisMicro analysisRegular use of indirect quotations from vague sources such as 'a witness' or 'a security source'.Tend to use collective nouns, rather than naming the individuals responsible.Two instances of active verbs 'kills' and 'shoot', rather than the sentences being put in thepassive. This could be to emphasise who was responsible.Evidence of pre and post modification, for example 'shot dead' and 'Lebanese soldiers' foremphasis.Meso analysisThe article is taken from the guardian which has a centre-left political alignment.Macro analysisConflict in the Middle East is a prominant topic in world news at the moment, and a reportwhere two nations are uniting against Assad, rather than fighting each other , would be ofsocial relevance at this time.Why study CDA?There are a number of reasons for studying Critical Discourse Analysis. One is taking an interest in socialand cultural issues, and how these issues affect society as a whole, looking at how social injustice isportrayed, and how certain social groups may be misrepresented in discourse. Another reason, is that CDAallows you to look at topics that interest you specifically. Finally, looking at CDA in more depth will give younew tools with which to study language, not just academically, but in everyday life too, for example, whenreading newspapers or magazines, or watching the news. References[1] Johnstone, B., (2008). Discourse Analysis, 2nd edition, Oxford: Blackwell.[2] Richardson, J., (2007). Analysing Newspapers: An approach from critical discourse analysis , Hampshire:Palgrave macmillan.[3] Caldas-Coulthard, C. and Coulthard, M., (1996). Texts and practices: readings in critical discourseanalysis, London: Routledge.