Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction

Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction

James Paul Gee

In the above essay written by James Paul Gee he describes the term "language." For him using "language" was to board a term and had to be broken down into parts. "Language" becomes a tangible object, that defines "not just what you say, but how you say it" (page 525, Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction, Gee).

Language in essence becomes a "Discourse," with a capital D, and are used for "ways of being in the world; they are forms of life which integrate words, acts, values, beliefs...." (page 526, Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction, Gee). A key quote dealing with Discourses is how "middle-class mainstream (ers) begin to use it as "carry (ing) with them power and prestige (page 531, Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction, Gee).

After reading the quote and how Gee explained it in his text shows me that without having prior knowledge of the dominant discourse one is excluded from the group in which power and prestige are of high value. Society is mainly middle class, including myself, were I've been taught the verbiage necessary to be included in such a privileged group. However, others are not permitted to enter because they haven't been trained properly to begin using it.

Language turns oppressive I believe for the fact that some people are included while others are excluded. Without somebody mentoring you through the process of acquiring a a given Discourse, individuals begin to see you as an outsider or beginner, someone not completely comfortable interacting with individuals that have had years of acquiring it.