Why critique should not run out of steam: a proposal for the critical study of discourse. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bartesaghi, Mariaelena; Pantelides, Kate
• Is Part Of: Review of communication. Volume 18:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 158
• Page End: 177
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Critical Discourse Studies -- Critical Discourse Analysis -- interdisciplinarity -- reflexivity -- multimodality; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1080/15358593.2018.1479884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1535-8593

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This essay is both a scholarly and personal endeavor to hold Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and its shift toward Critical Discourse Studies (CDS) accountable to claims of doing critique. First, we deconstruct CDA, and its slippage into an unaccountable ontology of intentionality, hiddenness, and hegemony. As an example of how unaccountable claims might shortchange what critical discourse work can accomplish, we take our own analysis to task. Next, we examine the concerted effort of CDS scholars to reconstruct and reclaim CDA critique by way of reflexivity, multimodality, and interdisciplinarity. We close with a proposal: if CDA's unfolding into CDS supports an evolution of the critical as material action, then it must identify what matters and move us to do something that matters. We offer some suggestions about how to move forward.