Reflections on identity construction in discourse analysis

Abstract

The notion of identity is increasingly becoming a major area of concern to scholars in the humanities and the social sciences. One of the disciplines that have strong interest in the study of identity is discourse analysis. This article examines the interface of identity construction and its realisation in discursive situations of language use. This paper, which is largely theoretical, is a critical appraisal of the two major theoretical views on identity –essentialism and social constructionism. Pointing out the interdisciplinary dimension of discourse analysis, this study argues that discourse offers a comfortable ground for the analysis of the polyvalent dynamics of identity, following the aforementioned theoretical persuasions. It also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both essentialism and social constructionism, noting that both theories are useful in the analysis of the thorny nature of identity.

Keywords: discourse, identity, essentialism, social constructionism, cursive contexts