Micro-Activity #2: Introduction to Discourse

Quote 1: “A DC develops a sense of “silential relations” (Becker 1995), whereby there is a sense of things that do not need to be said or to be spelt out in detail in either words or writing. Bridge players invariably say “four clubs” rather than “I bid four clubs”. 

Response: I found this interesting because it reminds me of every time I join a discourse community for the first time, they could understand each other but I couldn’t for some reason. They talk with abbreviations and weird vocabularies that nobody outside would necessarily understand. When we spend a lot of time with people with the same goals, way of thinking, and many common things, we kind of easily understand each other just from a look. It always happens with me at work and with friends especially.

Quote 2: “A DC has a potentially discoverable set of goals. These may be publicly and explicitly formulated (as in “mission” or “vision” statements); they may be generally or partially recognized by its members; they may be broadly consensual; or they may be separate but contiguous”

Response: This quote shows the idea of similar but not exactly similar. People can have the same goal but with a different point of view or a different vision. Architects for example have the same goal to design attractive and ideal buildings, but some of them think that beauty of the facade and shape is the most important part of the design as it’s the first thing that catches the eye. While other architects focus more on the function of the interior space and how it will be organized regardless of the exterior design. Professors always encourage us to keep the design as simple as we can while we are trying to make a creative design that has dynamic and motion. Both of us are looking for architecture and beauty with a different vision.

Discourse community 1: College

We all have the same target which is learning and graduating. We communicate through many of the platforms and share assignments, thoughts, and concerns. We also have group projects in which we create small discourse communities inside the big one.

Discourse community 2: Work

We spend a lot of time together everyday. everyone has a different background and different purpose of life, but in the work place we have the same target. We help each other understanding the work, learning new staff, and handling the customers. We understand if one of us needs help without even talking.

Discourse community 3: Travelling group

I am participating in a group on social media in which we share travel experiences. We give advice and information about the least cost, significant places that should be visited, famous food and transportation. We do not know each other well but we all love travelling.