INTERROGATING THE PLACE OF CONTEXT IN DISCOURSE ANALYSIS A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF LANGUAGE USE AND POWER DYNAMICS

Abstract

The relationship that exists between context and discourse is that of mutual exclusivity. Context is the totality of environment in which participants interact. It helps in the interpretation of meanings which do not rely solely on the grammaticality of the utterance but also on the communicative situations governing such an utterance. That being the case, context plays a fundamental role in determining meaning. This highlights the idea that meaning does not exist in a vacuum but is rather a function of the environment of discourse, which include but is not limited to the social, cultural and linguistic environment. This study examines the crucial role of context in shaping the meaning and interpretation of discourse, with a focus on language use and power dynamics. Through a critical discourse analysis of a discourse extract, this research reveals how context influences the construction of meaning and how language use reflects and shapes social and political inequalities. The findings highlight the importance of contextual analysis in uncovering the complex relationships between language, power, and context. This study contributes to our understanding of the ways in which language use perpetuates dominant discourses and reinforces social and political inequalities, and underscores the need for critical discourse analysis in challenging these inequalities. The study's recommendations emphasize the importance of critical language awareness, contextual analysis, and inclusive language use in promoting social and political change.