discourse analysis

[pharmacy]

Dear Teacher

I want to know the difference between discourse analysis and Conversation analysis in short, I mean 3 or 4 paragraphs and also in easily stated manner,
Thanks alot

[Horsa]

Essentially, conversational analysis is just a part of discourse analysis. Discourse analysis sets out to study both written and spoken discourse whereas conversational analysis considers only spoken.

[pharmacy]

Originally Posted by Horsa

Essentially, conversational analysis is just a part of discourse analysis. Discourse analysis sets out to study both written and spoken discourse whereas conversational analysis considers only spoken.

Dear Horsa

u mean that in both we study language in use, but CA is more limited, i mean to spoken language, right? But what is the meaning of the following sentence:
Discourse analysis could be an analysis of any text, so it would include written texts, etc, while CA is a subset, looking at 2 or more people talking.
I mean in discourse analysis we do not look at 2 or more people talking but in CA we do. am I right? so we look at what in DA, if not 2 or more people?
So sorry im really confused
finally can we say that in both CA and DA we look at the followings:
1- how the data is processed ?
2- what is the purpose and goal of the data?
I really want to know their exact differences, But i think u mean they are all the same. right?

[Horsa]

Discourse analysis could be an analysis of any text, so it would include written texts, etc, while CA is a subset, looking at 2 or more people talking.

This means exactly what I said in my reply: that CA is included in DA.

I mean in discourse analysis we do not look at 2 or more people talking but in CA we do. am I right?

No, I am afraid not. DA covers everything including CA. CA is a specialist area within DA.

finally can we say that in both CA and DA we look at the followings:
1- how the data is processed ?
2- what is the purpose and goal of the data?

DA is the study of language in use - that is used for communication.
I deals with cohesive devices, address forms, how individual words such as articles or pronouns and how th choice of tenses affect the structure of the discourse. It also looks at adjacency pairs and relationships between utterances within the discourse being studied. Also turn-taking, how speakers change topics etc.

If you want to know more, there are a couple of reasonably priced books available.

Introducing Discourse Analysis by David Lunan from Penguin

Discourse by Guy Cook from OUP

Alternatively a basic explanation is available at wikipedia just follow the link below.

Discourse analysis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[pharmacy]

Originally Posted by Horsa

Discourse analysis could be an analysis of any text, so it would include written texts, etc, while CA is a subset, looking at 2 or more people talking.

This means exactly what I said in my reply: that CA is included in DA.

I mean in discourse analysis we do not look at 2 or more people talking but in CA we do. am I right?

No, I am afraid not. DA covers everything including CA. CA is a specialist area within DA.

finally can we say that in both CA and DA we look at the followings:
1- how the data is processed ?
2- what is the purpose and goal of the data?

DA is the study of language in use - that is used for communication.
I deals with cohesive devices, address forms, how individual words such as articles or pronouns and how th choice of tenses affect the structure of the discourse. It also looks at adjacency pairs and relationships between utterances within the discourse being studied. Also turn-taking, how speakers change topics etc.

If you want to know more, there are a couple of reasonably priced books available.

Introducing Discourse Analysis by David Lunan from Penguin

Discourse by Guy Cook from OUP

Alternatively a basic explanation is available at wikipedia just follow the link below.

Discourse analysis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

thanks a lot.