Encoding-discourse-decoding
Linguistic Codes
• Codes -- linguistic device for FRAMING messages
– technique for identifying stretches of talk as particular
kinds of doings that are intended to accomplish particular
kinds of work
• Naturalized codes demonstrate the degree of
habituation produced when there is alignment and
reciprocity (encoding and decoding)
• Code switching -- employed as an instrument of
METACOMMUNICATION
– A direct and indirect form of social commentary
Symbol (Sign, Image, Text)
• symbols are multivocal
• complexity of associations
• many ideas, relations between things, actors, interactions
& transactions represented simultaneously by the symbol
vehicle
• enables a wide range of groups & individuals to relate to
the same symbol in a variety of ways
• semantically open & manipulable
• Ambiguous
• instrumentalities of various forces
• triggers of social action
• operating in changing fields of social relationships
Discourse (discursive)
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The articulation of language on real relations and conditions
Ways of talking about the world
a system of representation
Codes and conventions
"Discourse, Foucault argues, “constructs the topic. It defines
and produces the objects of our knowledge. It governs the
way that a topic can be meaningfully talked about and
reasoned about.”
• Discourse -- the bearer of various subject positions
– Subject positions -- specific positions of agency and identity in
relation to particular forms of knowledge and practice
– Subjectivity --produced within discourse, subjected to discourse.
• Encoding and decoding
encoding
• Denotation
• Connotation
Decoding – 3 positions
• Dominant-hegemonic position
– Decodes in reference to encoding
– Symmetry & hegemony
• Negotiated code or position
– Contradictions & situated disjuncture between
encoding & decoding
• Oppositional code
– De-totalizes the message in order to re-totalize
the message
– “struggle in discourse” or “politics of signification”