synthesis
John Swales’ article “The Concept of Discourse Community” discusses what he believes to be the true definition of a discourse community. He proceeds to discern the difference between a discourse community and what he refers to as a language community. Swales lists six characteristics that make a discourse community what it is, and how those characteristics affect its members. Essentially, these characteristics involve such topics as communication, lexis, goals, and genres. He describes these principles in great detail, then follows with using real life case studies to provide an example, including the Hong Kong Study Circle.
James Paul Gee’s “Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction” attempts to elaborate on just what a discourse community is and how they are interpreted socially and psychologically. He explains how primary and secondary discourses differ from one another. Primary discourses are ones which we are generally born with, including family and ethnicity. Secondary discourses are those which we inherit through social connections, such as school and work. These features of discourses help shape one’s identity and tend to give them a sense of purpose in their workplace or community.
Elizabeth Wardle’s “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces” analyzes the three modes of belonging and how those affect employees in the workplace. The first, engagement, involves one becoming accepted into their new discourse community. They will face obstacles and possible impasses with elders of the community, and have to earn their trust. Imagination involves a new member determining an identity of their own, and prove themselves to be worthy by contributing to the community. Alignment contains newcomers gaining more remarkable relationships with the elders of the community.
James Paul Gee’s “Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction” attempts to elaborate on just what a discourse community is and how they are interpreted socially and psychologically. He explains how primary and secondary discourses differ from one another. Primary discourses are ones which we are generally born with, including family and ethnicity. Secondary discourses are those which we inherit through social connections, such as school and work. These features of discourses help shape one’s identity and tend to give them a sense of purpose in their workplace or community.
Elizabeth Wardle’s “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces” analyzes the three modes of belonging and how those affect employees in the workplace. The first, engagement, involves one becoming accepted into their new discourse community. They will face obstacles and possible impasses with elders of the community, and have to earn their trust. Imagination involves a new member determining an identity of their own, and prove themselves to be worthy by contributing to the community. Alignment contains newcomers gaining more remarkable relationships with the elders of the community.