Language, Power, and Participation: Using Critical Discourse Analysis to Make Sense of Public Policy

1. Language, Power, and Participation: Using Critical Discourse Analysis to Make Sense of Public Policy A companion to Chapter 8 by Haley Woodside-Jiron From the companion website for Rogers, R. (2011). An Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis in Education, 2nd edition. New York: Taylor and Francis at www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415874298

2. Aim of this Presentation This goal of this presentation is to introduce a form of discourse analysis called Public Consultative Discourse Analysis (PCDA) that is complementary to the critical discourse analysis presented in Chapter 8.

3. Discourse Analysis Making a Difference Public Consultative Discourse Analysis (Scollon, 2010) is a kind of discourse analyses that intends to intervene in the process of decision making and public perception as it is happening, rather than after-the-fact.

4. Key Concepts: Public Consultative Discourse Analysis • Language is a central means by which we construct our conceptual worlds. • Our conceptual worlds form a template we use to engage in common day-to-day actions. • Language can be used either to open up avenues of communication and democratic negotiation or to obfuscate, confuse, or dissemble. • Those who are adept at using and interpreting language are at an advantage whenever language is the means of setting, consolidating, or undermining sociopolitical positions. (Scollon, 2010, p. 2)

5. PCDA • “Public consultative discourse analysis (PCDA) is oriented toward bringing discourse analysis in any relevant form into the process of making public policy” (Scollon, 2010, p. 7). • Whereas CDA focused on the analysis of discourses and social practices, PCDA seeks to put the analysis “to work” in the policy making process, making the results of the discourse analysis immediately relevant to the context, actors, and actions. Thus, discourse analysis is inserted into the policy making process itself.

6. A Different Kind of Example… Discourse analysis can also be used to intervene in the public’s perception of current events. In this example, the social practice is not public policy but claims from members of the Tea Party that they were attacked by “union thugs” outside of a Town Hall event. Interesting about this example, is that the analyst, Adam Shriver is not a “discourse analyst” by training. His concern with the representation of this event led him to carefully analyze the talk and actions that made up the event. To see the analysis, go to: http://stlactivisthub.blogspot.com/2009/08/questioning-right-wing-story-on-last.html

7. Discuss What do you notice about Shriver’s analysis? Notice how the analysis was posted on a blog for public accessibility and deliberation. What other ways might discourse analysis be made available to the public? What other texts might be useful to evaluate the claims made by the analyst? How does this kind of analysis differ from the kinds found in academic journals? What are other examples of public consultative discourse analysis?

8. Democratic Public Discourse… According to Scollon (2010): A PCDA is not the “last word” but the beginning of an active dialogue. As a new stakeholder in the process you are seeking to become engaged with the other stakeholders. You will have in mind that your contribution may change their anticipated actions. You should remain acutely aware as well that their contributions may also change your actions and your position. This is the nature of democratic public discourse: positions are stated, positions are argued, positions are negotiated and the actions which are taken and which become policy and practice are the outcome of the dialectic. As a public consultative discourse analyst, you do not stand outside of and away from this process. You are part of the dialectic (p. 162).

9. Writing PCDA • Be brief • Focus on what is really important • Provide evidence • Send your response as soon as possible • Reply to the questions • Say who you are (www.consultations.gov.uk, cited in Scollon, 2010, p. 159).

10. Things to Remember • Keep the focus on action throughout the analysis so that the PCDA can be entered into the public deliberative process. • Find a platform that is public to circulate the findings of the analysis. • Allow time for feedback and response to change your PCDA.

11. Distinguishing Features of PCDA • Timelines of the analysis and report. The analysis is based on current issues and problems that are under consideration and deliberation by various stakeholders. • The focus in PCDA is on the action and the audience. • The brevity of the report. The report of the findings are meant to be readable, usable, and stimulate dialogue and further action. • The usability of the findings to stimulate dialogue and deliberation.

12. Recommended Readings Martin, J. (2004). Positive discourse analysis: Solidarity and change. Revista Canaria de Estudios Ingleses, 49, 179–200. Price, M. (2007). Accessing disability: A nondisabled student works the hyphen. College Composition and Communication, 59(1), 53–76. Scollon, R. (2010). Analyzing public discourse: Discourse analysis in the making of public policy. London: Routledge.