Discourse Analysis and Interpretative Repertoires PDF

## Discourse analysis and the identification of interpretative repertoires ### **Margaret Wetherell and Jonathan Potter** In this chapter we intend to illustrate the approach to lay explanations taken by discourse analysts. We will attempt to demonstrate the value of interpretative repertoires as...

## Discourse analysis and the identification of interpretative repertoires ### **Margaret Wetherell and Jonathan Potter** In this chapter we intend to illustrate the approach to lay explanations taken by discourse analysts. We will attempt to demonstrate the value of interpretative repertoires as a basic analytic unit. Let us situate this methodological approach within broad developments in social psychology and modern theories of discourse. ### **Theoretical background** Many social psychologies - even 'new' ones - have a rather old-fashioned view of language. They assume that language acts as a neutral, transparent medium between the social actor and the world, so that normally discourse can be taken at face value as a simple description of a mental state or an event. People's utterances might occasionally be distorted by the desire for social desirability, but these cases of distorted discourse are unusual. More often, accounts are taken to be simple, unintrusive, neutral reflectors of real processes located elsewhere. The implausibility of this standard assumption in traditional social psychology and in its alternatives can be seen when we look at the burgeoning work in sociology, philosophy and literary theory on language function. Analysts in these fields have demonstrated the essential and inescapable 'action orientation' of discourse (Heritage, 1984). Discourse has become seen as a social practice in itself, as opposed to a neutral transmitter, with its own characteristic features and practical consequences. ### **Discourse Analysis** Discourse analysis can best be understood by introducing the interconnected concepts of function, construction, variation and the analytic unit: the interpretative repertoire. - **Function:** Both speech act theory and ethnomethodology stress the action orientation of language use. People do things with their discourse; they make accusations, ask questions, justify their conduct and so on. At the same time, post-structuralist work suggests that we need to modulate and supplement a study of the performative dimension of language use with work on wider, unintended consequences; when people deploy a particular form of discourse, it has repercussions of its own which may not have been formulated or even understood by the speaker or writer. - **Construction:** The term construction emphasizes that discourse has an action orientation and has practical consequences. Much of our social lives depends on dealing with events and people which are experienced only in terms of specific linguistic versions. In a profound sense, then, discourse can be said to 'construct' our lived reality. - **Variation:** The fact that discourse is oriented to different functions means that it will be highly variable: what people say and write will be different according to what they are doing. - **Interpretative Repertoires:** This is the language unit used to identify a recurring pattern in the content of certain materials. ### **Empirical example: the construction of 'race' relations** * **Background:** This study focuses on how majority group of white Europeans in New Zealand understand issues like inequalities of employment opportunities and how they make sense of their relationship with the indigenous Maori people. * **Data:** Interviews were designed to elicit extended sequences of talk on a number of topics. They focused especially on perceived causes of the disadvantaged position of the Maori people, recent multicultural social policies, proposed reasons for racism and tension, and special provision or positive discrimination for ethnic groups. All Interviews were tape recorded and fully transcribed. * **Variation:** The authors present two sets of extracts, labeled A and B. Both sets are from the same interviewee, but they demonstrate different perspectives on racism. * **Interpretative Repertoires:** Three particular dominant repertoires are identified: **culture fostering, pragmatic realism, and togetherness.** - **Culture fostering:** Arguments for the development of Maori culture. It appears to advocate multiculturalist social policy and the importance of Maori culture for New Zealand society. There are two major facets to it. On the one hand, it presents the view that Maori culture should be encouraged, fostered, protected and conserved because it uniquely and distinctively identifies New Zealand, and is a worthwhile culture in itself. - **Pragmatic realism:** Stresses the promotion of those things which are useful, modern and relevant today. It combines this with an emphasis and appreciation of the practical constraints on action. - **Togetherness:** The notion that there should be no divisions or barriers between people. ### **Advantages and Disadvantages** **Advantages:** - It provides a systematic approach to understanding the complexities of lay explanations. - It is able to recover the nuances of language use. - It uses a system of validation through which analytic points can be assessed. **Disadvantages:** - The sheer effort involved in transcribing and analyzing discourse is considerable. - The findings are specific to a particular class of people at a particular point in time. - The approach is relatively new and needs further elaboration.