A Theoretical Perspective Of Discourse Analysis: Strengths And Shortcomings

Abstract

This paper seeks to view discourse etymologically and then work out its poststructuralist postulation to finally place it in the vicinity of Literary Theory which aims at analysing meaning-practices via studying authors, readers, texts and contexts. Discourse being intrinsically political, it can be viewed as akin to Theory as both tend to unsettle established meanings of texts / contexts while remaining relentlessly self-critical in the process. When we focus on the description of a particular language, we are normally concerned with the accurate representation of reforms and structures used in that language. However, as language users we are capable of more than simply recognizing correct verses incorrect form and structure