Blog #4: John Swales and the Discourse Community

After reading “The Concept of Discourse Community” by John Swales, I decided to research more about him. John Swales was a Professor of Linguistics, which means he devoted his life to the study and understanding of language. He was born in Surrey, UK. At a young age Swales knew the value of education. He attended various private schools. In 1957 Swales graduate with a Psychology degree from Cambridge University. Upon graduating John taught at prestigious universities around the world. In 1985 John accepted a position at the University of Michigan. John retired there in 2007 but remains a Professor Emeritus of Linguistics as well as an active scholar.  

John Swales “The Concept of Discourse Community” establishes one of the first concrete definitions for the meaning of a discourse community. It fundamentally distinguishes the difference between a speech community and a discourse community. Swales argues that a speech community is a group that shares similar linguistic goals. He disputes this in saying it allows communities to share knowledge and interpret speech, and there members are inherited. However, Swales argues that in a discourse community, their members are recruited and not inherited by luck or tradition. Discourse communities gain acceptance by persuasion, teaching, lessoning, and training.

Swales goes on to outline many differences between speech communities and discourse communities. He states that there are “six defining characteristics” in defining a discourse community:

1.    “A discourse community has a broadly agreed set of common public goals.”

2.    “A discourse community has mechanisms of intercommunication among its members.”

3.    “A discourse community uses its participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback.”

4.    “A discourse community utilizes and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims.”

5.    “In addition to owning genres, a discourse community has acquired a specific lexis.”

6.    “A discourse community has a threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discourses expertise.”  

In reading these six characteristics, Swales establish the true definition for a discourse community. He clearly states the differences between speech communities and discourse communities. Swales clearly discusses and explains in depth his issues with speech communities and validates his position for discourse communities. However, even in his final remarks Swales states that discourse communities members may change their views, they do not have to. Opposed to in a speech community, where followers are likely to be close together and accept the norm.

Reflecting on this article in more depth, I have seen the merit in John’s article. From college campuses, to places of employment, and even the state we live in, discourse communities are all around us. I’m a member of The Evolution Group, which is an online structured financial education company. At the core, this group allows for individuals to connect and strategies on different avenues to manufacture economic independence. Though many people seek to be financially free, our group has committed to the practices and steps set forth in our community. There are multiple ways to communicate; weekly emails, live video-conferences, rolodex to elite professionals, and publications on current financial events. Amongst the genres, there is the use of analyzing the trials and tribulations of successful entrepreneurs. Per the focus of wealth management, I find that the specific lexis is at times dense financial terminology that is not used on a usual daily basis outside this community. The most essential part that sets this group apart is the unique strategies not promoted or offered at the corner bank down the street. The expertise of the leading individuals includes CEOs, CFOs, Entrepreneurs, and Lawyers. I believe The Evolution Group represents a discourse community at it structures a different approach to economic independence.

Discourse communities engulf us, sometimes knowingly but more often unknowingly. After reading many other posting in this blog, I would say that I disagree with the majority, saying this reading was dry or boring. Yes, in the beginning it was, but after reading it again and reflecting on it, you truly see the scholar of John Swales. I believe that he is truly a great Linguistics professor, teacher, and scholar.