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Faculty of Arts and Design

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Critical discourse analysis

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    Linguistic landscaping in selected South African universities : case studies of University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Western Cape (UWC)
    (2019) Adekunle, Temitope Oluwakemi; Mheta, Gift; Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi, Ernestina
    "Language is, then, positively a distinctly human opening of an opening to the world: Not just a distinguishable or instrumental but a constitutive faculty." Williams (1977: 23) The dissertation explored the linguistic landscaping (LL) of University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study’s purpose was to analyse language forms or modes as they are utilised in disseminating information in the public places of the Main Campus (UWC) and the Upper Campus (UCT), since Kress (2012: 205) asserts that modes are interactive channels of communication. The study was guided by five objectives (the usage of modes as forms of communication in the selected universities, the modes used to represent signs in the selected universities, the influence of cultural overtones on language use and choice, the historical and current significant semiotic symbols and signs used in the selected South African universities, and the depiction of power relations in the LL of the selected universities), which ultimately guided data collection and analysis. The interpretive paradigm was employed and it informed the researcher’s choice of Multimodality (MDA - Pienaar and Becker 2007) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA - Kress 2003b) as theoretical frameworks and methods of analysis. They enhanced the structuring, collection, analyses and interpretation of data (written, drawn, images, among others), while also providing several means of interpreting and detecting hidden patterns in modes. An in- depth qualitative study was conducted using an explorative case study design and data were collected by means of visual-photography. A digital camera and a phone camera were used to take photographs of signs/texts inside the campuses. A total of 400 data were initially, purposively collected, however, 200 were finally selected for analysis (100 from each university), as they were deemed suitable for the study’s scope, aim, objectives and questions. The research revealed the services, and schools of thought that exist on both campuses, which may also be true reflectors of ‘the norm’ at the universities. There were inconsistencies in the linguistic structures, with regard to language practice and policy, as well as the observed political, social, and religious dynamics on the campuses. This raised curiosity regarding the effectiveness of language policy (the nation/institution), in relation to the language practices of the institutions. Furthermore, the researcher determined the influence of language as a door that opens other doors, due to the utilised modal resources. Authors seem to deliberately select texts envisioned to attract a specific audience. A few texts were resemiotised, while others were modified ideas/concepts - adopted from foreign or different texts, and languages (intertextuality). The researcher additionally identified elements of discursive silence, which facilitated a broader analysis of some identified power dynamics, relevance of time and space, as well as their impact on the LLs of the universities. Degenderisation of the disabled was also one of the key findings and it was examined from the perspective of the services (for instance, toilet spaces) rendered, as opposed to the beneficiaries of those services. Recommendations focused on the definitive promotion of genuine language practices in accordance with the language policy of the country and province in which both universities are located. Emphasis was placed on the reformation of language practice at the universities, which could impact the observed power dynamics, authorship autonomy, and unbiased and accurate historical/political information. This move can possibly promote inclusivity, racial integration, international recognition, and global marketing for the universities and South Africa (SA) as a whole. The findings provide enlightenment about the current LLs at the universities and contribute to knowledge on language practice in multicultural/ multilingual settings. A framework for LL was created based on the study’s findings, which could be relevant to the South African multicultural and multilingual context. It accentuates the need for a conscious production of texts (to accommodate a broad readership) and an adequate examination of modes (to determine both the existing and hidden elements of discourse and/or discursive practices) in the LLs of SA’s public and private establishments.
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    A ciritical deconstruction of political discource and symbols : the case of (mis)representation and manipulation in Nigerian politics
    (2018) Oparinde, 'Kunle Musbaudeen; Rapeane-Mathonsi, Ernestina Maleshoane; Mheta, Gift
    Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Multimodal Discourse Analysis (MDA), this study deconstructs political discourse obtained from the Nigerian political arena. Employing a qualitative research method, where a case-study design is engaged, the study examines linguistic (mis)representation and manipulation in Nigerian political settings, drawing from instances of linguistic and symbolic materials, as observed from different political endeavours. The study discusses the use of language in Nigerian politics, in an attempt to understand how discourse and symbols are used to manipulate the masses, as well as (mis)represent the politicians. I investigate how language is used by politicians to gain more audience, and, as a result, shape opinions that result in votes. Several themes were developed in the analysis. Important themes are represented in a Wordle analysis. The Wordle analysis presents actual keywords that emanated from the scrutinising of collected data. Linguistic items, such as corruption, Boko Haram, insecurity, power, and support, as well as fight, and God among others, are evident in the Wordle representation. The study realized that manipulation in political discourse could be achieved through different means, such as: through service delivery; religion; situation of the nation; and crafty linguistic expressions; along with ethnic influence; and visuals. Furthermore, the research identified the notion of intertextuality as having a strong hold in political discourse through resemiotisation, repurposing, recontextualisation and recycling of texts. I confirmed that power resides within discourse and as such, discourse can be used to achieve several goals. The work demonstrated how politicians exploit political messages to achieve their political aims using both lexical and visual means. I strongly contend that discourse is powerful, and thus, has the ability to exploit and influence people. Importantly, the study proposed a theoretical model or framework for the analysis of misrepresentation and manipulation in political discourse, as well as other forms of discourse.
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    A critical linguistic discourse analysis of participant narratives in the construction of citizenship education at a University of Technology
    (2017-08-25) Reddy, Komala; Pratt, Deirdre Denise
    This study is concerned with how citizenship education might be seen to take place in Universities of Technology, which are associated with applied knowledge of a technical nature. Higher education is thought to have a role in the nation’s social, moral and spiritual life in transmitting citizenship and culture in all its variety and in enabling personal development for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole. This study explored whether universities of technology do indeed promote a culture of citizenship in order to serve society, and how, by analysing the discourse of educators and students to see how citizenship education might be constructed. The aim was to identify indicators in participant discourse which might be linked to themes occurring in models of citizenship education. It was hoped that analysing participant discourse might reveal which aspects of citizenship were potentially empowering in terms of fostering individually autonomous yet socially conscious citizens. Within a critical linguistic approach, a mixed methods research design was applied, using questionnaires and semi structured interviews and discourse analysis. The discourse analysis involved a content analysis of written texts, and a critical discourse analysis of the transcribed focus group texts. The results of the questionnaires and semi structured interviews yielded indicators of citizenship based on personal values, values relating to social responsibility, and issues relating to the legislature, as enshrined in the South African Constitution. An analysis of the faculty community engagement texts revealed what kinds of ad hoc measures the university was setting in place to foster informal and therefore implicit citizenship education. The critical analysis of student focus group discourse revealed what aspects of citizenship education students were learning informally, as well as to what extent they felt that they were being empowered as self-actuating yet socially conscious citizens of a multicultural democratic country. This study is thought to be of value, as, at the time of the study, the university involved was engaged in a transition between offering informal and implicit options for citizenship education, such as work integrated learning programmes and community engagement projects, and formally curriculating citizenship education into the syllabus in the form of General Education modules, which was still work-in-progress at the end of the study.