Gradually Entering a Discourse

Published in

Literacy & Discourse

8 min readDec 2, 2015

an article by Zane Getman

What is a Discourse, and how do I get into one?

One can adopt the required logistics to get into an exclusive group, or a Discourse, through a series of mechanics or steps such as early exposure, observance, impersonation, reflection, and practice. According to researcher and linguist James Gee, Discourses are “ways of being in the world” (6) that include “forms of life that integrate words, acts, values, beliefs, and social identities” (6–7).

Those in the Discourse of soccer are familiar with the rules of the sport, playing positions, certain plays to run, and the pace of the game.

Exposure to specific Discourses at a young age influences how we act and who we try to emulate.

By being exposed at a young age to a specific Discourse, one will witness firsthand what is acceptable and unacceptable in that Discourse as well as how others in that Discourse behave.

This phase of entering a Discourse relates to researcher James Paul Gee’s concept of being a pupil and garnering information and habits from the experienced master figures of the Discourse, which is stated in his Literacy, Discourse, and Linguistics: Introduction. Gee’s idea of a master-apprentice relationship is that the master can “make it look as if [the apprentice] can do what they really can’t do” (Gee, 11) during the learning process, helping the amateur gain acceptance from others in the Discourse while discovering the ways of the Discourse. Following the initial exposure to a Discourse, one will begin noticing the norms of that Discourse and develop their own interpretation of how to act in order to fit in with those people they aspire to imitate.

What does our body language say about us?

Below is a link to Ms. Cuddy’s TED Talk, which will be referenced several times in this article. If you would like to hear her ideas on how our nonverbal actions portray us, open the video and listen to her speech. Or you can follow the quotations used in this article by skipping to the time cited after the quotes.

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy addresses body language in her speech “Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are”, which relates to others’ perceptions of ourselves and peer evaluation. Cuddy’s emphasis on how “our nonverbals govern how we think and feel about ourselves” (Cuddy, 6:57) connects directly with the idea of noting other’s behavior and then adopting similar actions. When considering Gee’s notions of Discourse, one can decide that through imitations and impressions can one build confidence towards successfully entering a Discourse. This idea is shared by Amy Cuddy who believes that by assuming powerful physical poses, one can convince themselves and others of their confidence.

A confident man in a confident power pose, ready to take on the world.

Power posing is a great way to build self-confidence when trying to fit in with others or in a specific Discourse because according to Cuddy, when power posing “high-power people experience about a 20-percent increase” (Cuddy, 11:28) in testosterone, undoubtedly strengthening one’s resolve.

This gorilla’s (left) body language is intimidating, letting the other (right) know that it is confident in the action that it is taking. Body language shares information or intentions with others.

In her speech, Cuddy also mentions that in the animal kingdom, animals display their power and size to show dominance. She continues to state that this technique is “not just limited to primates…humans do the same thing” (3:56). From the reactions that their emulations provoke from other members of the specific Discourse, one can experience failure or success. Although success is obviously desired over failure, experiencing failure in a Discourse can be helpful and serve as a learning experience for one to correct their act and get a better understanding on how to be in that Discourse. After encountering rejection, criticism, or acceptance from others in the Discourse, one will know specifically what to practice in order to gain respect and a solid status in that Discourse. By following this structure of social steps one may successfully achieve a position in a desired Discourse.

Is it beneficial to have someone to look up to?

A large part of getting into a Discourse is being exposed to the environment and the members of that Discourse, which will most likely result in the development of a teacher-student relationship of some sort. James Paul Gee presents that it is through an “apprentice relationship in a social practice (Discourse) wherein you scaffold their growing ability to say, do, value, believe, and so forth within that Discourse, through demonstrating your mastery and supporting theirs” (Gee, 11). This quotation demonstrates how the exposure to those of a Discourse is crucial in strongly becoming part of it. Cuddy states how “you’ve gotta participate or else you’re going to fail” (Cuddy, 18:07), which supports the concept of engaging in a master-apprentice relationship and contributing to one’s development of Discourse traits by engaging in the ways of a Discourse. This mechanic is likely the first step encountered when aspiring to enter a Discourse, since the influence of others in that Discourse is essential and must be learned before trying to fit into it.

An apprentice imitating his master and learning from him.

Fitting In

The exposure blends into the following stage of observance and picking up on certain traits within the Discourse. Linguistics and grammar are included in this learning process but are not necessarily primary to pick up on; there are other dynamics such as physical ways of acting, attitudes, and morals to be examined in the Discourse. This trial expresses Amy Cuddy’s proclamation of how as people “we’re really fascinated with body language, and we’re particularly interested in other people’s body language” (Cuddy, 0:58), and how others nonverbal actions influence our own. If one spends their youth in an inner city slum and is raised by street gang affiliated parents, they will not only develop the speech and slang of others in that Discourse but also the mindset and body language as well. Although learning the language of members in a Discourse is critical in gaining solidarity in their social lifestyle, one is “also influenced by [their] nonverbals, our thoughts and our feelings and our physiology” (Cuddy, 3:28). This concept of being heavily influenced by attitudes and physiology correlates with Gee’s view of how those trying to enter a Discourse “ought to pay attention to meaning and not focus on the petty details of mechanics, “correctness”, the superficial features of language” (Gee, 11). Being shown a Discourse and paying attention to all aspects of it, physical and verbal, are imperative beginning steps in becoming part of that Discourse.

This figure is shunned by the group and is not accepted by them. That means that this figure is not a part of whatever Discourse the figures in the circle are in.

According to Gee one cannot partially be in a Discourse, which raises the question concerning that gray area of learning and adjusting gradually into it: when do you know you are successfully in the Discourse or not? Both Gee and Cuddy address this point indirectly but similarly when conveying their views on mushfaking and faking it until you become it. Cuddy’s advice on advancing oneself confidently in the eyes of one’s peers is to “fake it till you make it” (Cuddy, 15:35). This simple phrase exemplifies pretending to know more than one actually does, allowing one to have a better chance at gaining respect in the eyes of those in the aspired Discourse because of the confidence behind the faking one does. Gee claims that “making do with something less when the real thing is not available” (Gee, 13) is self-practice when enduring the trials and tribulations of entering a Discourse. For example, after being exposed and picking up on some traits shown by other Discourse members one may begin trying to act like them, although not fully comprehending or even knowing the entire way of the Discourse. Through constant emulation of those we aspire to be like and through self-conviction and determination that we will become like those people, we can use our limited knowledge of the Discourse to gain entry into it because “our bodies change our minds and our minds can change our behavior, and our behavior can change our outcomes” (Cuddy, 15:35). Cuddy’s belief that faking one’s actions until they come naturally and are accepted relates to Gee’s notion of mushfaking to receive respect from members of a certain Discourse.

(Constructive) Peer Pressure

Then when this is done continually enough to be noted by peers in the aspiring Discourse, the person emulating others will be judged by them based off of their actions. This leads to reflection of oneself and learning room for improvement unless others in the Discourse seem satisfied by one’s actions and accepts them. This could come through nonverbal judgements by others and can be picked up based off of body language because according to Amy Cuddy, “when we think of nonverbals, we think of how we judge others, how they judge us and what the outcomes are” (Cuddy, 3:28). Upon this reflection, one can truly discover if they are on the right path to entering their aspiring Discourse or if they need to acquire more knowledge of the ways of the aspiring Discourse and work on their resemblance more.

Peer judgement is crucial in determining acceptance or denial and can be the most helpful crutch when attempting to insinuate oneself into a Discourse. If one sees that they are clearly shunned by members of the Discourse they desire to join, they will understand that they did something incorrectly in their attempts to join and will see what they can do to correct whatever it is that brought them rejection. On the contrary if one encounters a welcoming response from others in the Discourse, they will feel accomplished and successful in proving himself/herself worthy of securing a position in the Discourse and continue to act the way they did which was met with approval. This is a vital part of entering a Discourse because it serves as guidance in the direction of gaining acceptance into a Discourse through trials and tribulations, success and failure, all based off of peer evaluation.

Discourse Recap

Gaining entry to a Discourse requires undergoing certain mechanics including initial exposure, observation, replication of others, self reflection, and rehearsal. Being exposed to the environment of a Discourse at a young age allows one to learn the norms and social behaviors of that setting while growing up as a youth, which is an important time to discover the ways of surrounding people because a young mind is malleable and easily influenced.