On_Media_Discourse_Analysis--a___critical_approach.doc

On Media Discourse Analysis I. Media and Language—an introduction What is discourse? Discourse refers to spoken or written language use, including some other types of semiotic activities which produce meaning, such as visual images (photography, film, video, diagrams) and non-verbal communication (e.g., gestures). There are complex equivalences and movements between language, other semiotic systems (bodily semiotics, visual semiotics and the semiotics of sound and music), and non-semiotic moments of social practices. Particular things can be done either discoursally or as material actions (or both), and if discoursally, either in language or in other semiotic forms. For instance, if I want to express my love or desire, I can caress (material activity, non-semiotic), I can smile (discoursal, non-verbal), or I can say something (discoursal, verbal)—or I can combine them. I can even say something in a laughing or caressing way—suggesting that discourse internalises the moment of material activity. Discourse / semiosis—language in use—the systems of signs and sounds we use in the production of our social life. Discourse(s) –the different ways that we talk / write about (represent) social life, the world, and ourselves. Analysis of the language of media texts can illuminate three sets of questions about media output: How is the world (events, relationships, etc.) represented?—representations; What identities are set up for those involved in the programme or story (reporters, audiences, ‘third parties’ referred to or interviewed)?—identities; What relationships are set up between those involved (e.g., reporter-audience, expert-audience or politician-audience relationships)?—relations. What is discourse analysis? Discourse analysis is concerned with practices as well as texts, and with both discourse practices and sociocultural practices. Discourse practices are the ways in which texts are produced by media workers in