Why do cultural discourse studies? Towards a culturally conscious and critical approach to human discourses

Abstract

The present article argues for a culturally conscious and reflexive approach to discourse studies, beyond the discipline's taken-for-granted multi-disciplinarity, moral stance and monologue, with a view to facilitating genuine research innovation and cultural equality and prosperity. First, it highlights the oft obscured cultural nature of mainstream discourse scholarship, the actual cultural diversity and divisiveness of contemporary human discourses, as well as cultural-intellectual resources and conditions for the formation of Cultural Discourse Studies (CDS). Next, the article illustrates a particular cultural example of the new paradigm by describing a Chinese approach to the discourses of human rights, characterised by at once a historical and an intercultural perspective. In conclusion, the article suggests action strategies for the construction and practise of the cultural mode of discourse research.