Postcolonial Critical Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method

Abstract

This chapter explains the tenets of Postcolonial Critical Discourse Analysis (PCDA) as a theoretical and methodological framework. It introduces the notion of the ‘postcolonial’ and ‘Orientalism’, before providing a review of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), and the connections between language and social structures of power. It then focuses on the ways in which both Postcolonial Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis share an interest in resisting social structures that are based on unequal relations of power. This theoretical framework is complemented by a methodological approach, which is based on an adaptation of historical approaches to Critical Discourse Analysis, which also includes quantitative Content Analysis. Finally, it explains the sampling criteria and the process of data collection and analysis for this research.