James Paul Gee Response

Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics by James Paul Gee

Summary: In his article Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics James Paul Gee defines Discourse as a combination of saying, writing, doing, being, valuing, etc. Gee argues that Discourse not often mistaken for discourse is a social setting or unit like culture. Gee argues that if you want to become a part of or better yet master a Discourse one must go through a riveting process of apprenticeship where one specifically learns and interacts in the social practices of people who have already mastered that specific Discourse. The first Discourse we learn about is the Primary Discourse: focused on the home and our families. Gee explains that this type of Discourse is acquired through the settlement or joining of something. Secondary Discourses are learned through social institutions such as school or work. There are two types of Secondary Discourses that Gee goes into detail during this articles discussion. The first is Dominant Discourses which are Discourses that allow for the acquirement of status and goods from ones social environment. The second Discourse Gee mentions is Non-Dominant Discourses which do not allow for the attainment of goods and status. However, this discourse does allow for one to become applicable and knowledgeable in this area but it doesn’t allow for change in status. Gee goes forth defining Literacy in his own terms and how Literacy is the mastery and controlling factor for Secondary Discourses.  The article continues with examples and discussion as to why this is so and why it will remain. Then Gee discusses the idea of Liberation through Literacy. He talks about the abnormal features or perks of language and how they give no authorship or purpose to meaning. Gee argues that classrooms must become active apprenticeships for full fluency to occur. That the sooner one begins apprenticeship in a Secondary Discourse the more they will acquire and resemble this community, but he mentions it is important to know that no one can ever join or become part of another Discourse. Gee says that you have your Primary Discourse and so does everyone else and this never changes. Gee also talks about fluency occurring and individuals becoming truly Literate in their Discourse. That when this acquisition happens they will be able to illuminate their own body or self through discussing, relating, arguing, searching and questioning Discourses rather than following ignorantly.

Synthesis: This article is very similar to John Swales article which is also about Discourse communities. Swales talks about how you can be considered a part of a Discourse community and all the components that go into it. Swales argues there are six main components which include shared values, beliefs, morals, expectations and more. These and Swales article are in line with some of the points made here by Gee. Gee talks about the truth behind a Discourse and how and what it takes to really be considered a part not a apprentice or sub-sider but truly a part. Gee and Swales both talk about in their articles how you have a Primary Discourse and this is where you develop learn and share common beliefs and values and so forth. That when you find a community or group of people with the same or common thoughts and ideas this is where you begin to become centric or notice yourself confining. They talk about how this confinement isn’t restriction it’s just the adjustment or growth of oneself in a community or search to find ones Discourse. They also discuss the importance of language and specific qualities or symbols to these Discourses. How every Discourse has specific things such as vocabulary to their own community one that isn’t able to be taught but must be acquired or learned through interaction.

Questions for Journaling and Discussion:

3. Gee describes lowercase d’s as stretches or points of language that make sense to a certain discourse. Gee sees D’s as ways in which we are formed and a part of the world. These are the ways we integrate through life by our own and shared values, acts, words, language, beliefs, attitudes etc. I think that this makes sense because he talks about how the lowercase d’s are a part of the D’s. Gee explains how they are just one little piece to the overall concept of Discourses and everything that makes them up. This is also applicable because Discourse or communities and cultures are made up of all these different ideas and concepts.

5. Gee says that Discourse are connected with displays of an identity and I believe this is to be true. Gee is saying that in order to really be considered or have a true position in a Discourse you must also have an identity in it. Gee uses the example of foreign language in his article which helps make a lot of sense out of what he says. Gee argues that even if you know a foreign language you don’t know commonalities, words, phrases and symbols that are specific to this Discourse. This means that you can’t learn this through teachings but instead through actually interacting and having an identity in the Discourse.

11. This is the ability to know and understand one’s own language and Discourse/Discourses and being able to relate and apply them to Discourse you are attempting to acquire. This is highly important because it allows you to manipulate, analyze and resist while advancing. The ability to have metaknowledge lets you use what you know about your own Discourse and apply it to others in order to help you know, learn and effect the ideas and concepts of another Discourse.

13.  A discourse I would like to be a part of is probably the music Discourse. I think that the hardest part of being in this Discourse is finding your actual position or place to be. There are so many different parts and elements that factor into music and the production of it. The ability to know and have a certain field in music in which you belong is important because it is where you first off belong and second off will do your best work. I think what aids you the most in being a part is yourself. Music is all around us in so many forms: actual sound, advertising, clothing and the list goes on. The big part of it all is you have to be able to have and master the drive for knowledge and furthered learning. I do feel like a pretender at times because I have always wanted to be a part of this community or Discourse and have a huge passion for it but I have never fully applied myself in any field regarding it besides really just listening and examining lyrics and artist. Also because for instance I don’t have the best singing voice and I can’t play any instruments. Another point is I don’t have any recording or editing equipment so I can’t even be a part of the production of music once so ever for now at least.

Applying and Exploring:

3. Dear Miss George,

            Discourses are very important to know and understand especially in one’s growth and development throughout life. First off I want to make sure you know what exactly Discourses are so I’ll explain a little. Discourses are like cultures or groups that have shared practices, ideas, values and beliefs. They are groups in which you develop and join based on these but are also ones in which you learn and retain certain information, meanings and ideas from. They are specific to you and can’t be joined later in life, they are groups one must be applied to or interact with from a young age. There is also a difference between dominant and non-dominant Discourse as well. Dominant Discourses are ones involved in or are the process of filtering languages and other principles of a Secondary Discourse into that of a Primary Discourse. A non-dominant does not do this this is where the Secondary Discourse information or principle remain and retain in the certain area or field. I ask that in order to help students from non-dominant Discourses you begin to show them the filtering process and give them insight on the Discourse. In order for these students to learn and become applicable they need knowledge and guidance in this understanding. Please give them the shared principle and the registered language of such a Discourse and try to teach them to become and know these ideas and meanings.

Thank you,

Kyle

4. I belong ot many Discourse one of which is a religious and the other is more of an attainment or area of interest. The religious Discourse is one in which has specific rules and regulations that you don’t have to follow but your suppose to in order to live and be righteous. These are values and beliefs that are shared through God, Jesus and The Holy Bible. Then there is my other Discourse which is music and more specifically rap. In this Discourse a lot is based off of hard times, drugs, parties, girls, money, clothes and so forth. These two Discourse conflict In many morals, values and beliefs which causes issues for me. In this sense I have to make some exceptions or dicesions of my own which I do. I am a member of both communities and will remain this way but I act in a sense that I have learned but also feel is correct. I still do and participate in activities and so on that may not be considered right or ok by the Bible but they are by the rap Discourse. I think that it comes down to finding yourself through these Discourses and knowing where you stand as to their regards. Also that you must see what values, morals and ideas you choose to uphold and which you choose to disobey or break based on their meaning or purpose revolving you.

Opinion on Article: I thought that this article was interesting to read. This article went even further in depth in the discussion of Discourses and all that is involved in them. This article added on to Swales article in so many ways as well as presenting its own points of emphasis. This article allowed for a new perspective on Discourse in many areas like: what are they? How do you join or become a part of one? What all goes in to one? Also it helped me engage further in my own understanding and relevance to Discourse regarding me and my friends. Although the article was a little confusing I found it very interesting and useful to read in regards to our class and furthering ones knowledge of Discourse, communities, cultures and units like these that are going on all around us.