Language as a Means of Communication in Every Culture - Report Example

Analysis of Articles Name: Course: Institution: Date: Introduction Language is preferred as a means of communication in every culture. It is considered as a fuel that individuals use to empower their desires and this explains why language is a powerful tool of communication whose impact is dependent on the way it is wielded. Whether used consciously or unconsciously, language evolves ideas and perceptions into reality (Joseph 2006, p. 14). The main objective of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the article by Kevin McGovern, Adoption is better than abortion. This will be trough a provision of the rationale for choosing the article, critical approach to discourse analysis, the structure of the article, the position of the reader and the use of the article to provide an analysis of its relationship with language and power. Rationale for selecting the article The article Adoption is the better than abortion, by McGovern is considered essential in the demonstration of the power of language since it has the ability to demonstrate the power of language. This article focuses on the psychological consequences those women who lose their children before or near birth (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This is in close connection to restricted rules of abortion and adoption. The relationship between women and their children also form part of this article considering that women often bond with their children in pre-natal and post-natal stages (McGovern 2011, p. 1). The article prefers that women who do not have the capacity or those who do not have the intention of raising children should be allowed of give birth and give away their children for adoption rather than make the decision of killing them through abortion (McGovern 2011, p. 1). The article was also considered for analysis due to its ability to use different aspects of language in relaying intend information. These include the use of statistical data, statistical analysis and the use of historical perspective to provide an overview of aborting and adoption. The choice of words and language used in this article are also representative of the main intention of the article (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This article endeavours to influence its readers to consider adoption over abortion by using the negative aspects of abortion as a tool for emphasize the importance of abortion. The article also uses the psychological approach to influence the decision making process (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This is arrived at after a careful consideration of the tribulations that the broken bond between an aborted child and a mother leaves as an impact on the life of the woman. This article while trying to convince the society to embrace adoption concludes by arguing that the best outcome for unplanned pregnancy is to ensure that the mother is able find techniques through which they can raise their children (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This can only be endured when the government introduces effective measure that regulate abortion and enhance the chances of improving on the efficiency of the adoption process. In addition, the article also uses language to demonstrate the power of the society in encouraging mothers and girls to embrace the act of giving and sustaining life (McGovern 2011, p. 1). Approach to critical discourse analysis There are different ways through which language can be used in expressing intended information. One of the ways is to reveal the existence of a possible social problem in the society (Cope & Kalantzis 2000, p. 23). This means that the use of language in the understanding and organizing social existence can be understood by the ability of different members of the society to understand different approaches that can be used to ensure that the consequences of any actions are pre-empted and understood (Joseph 2006, p. 19). In addition, language can also be used in the interpretation of the proposed social phenomenon and this means that the social analysis can be used in the process of understanding the role of language at all levels in the society (Cope & Kalantzis 2000, p. 26). it is therefore important to ensure the development of effective tools that can be used in the critical examination of text with the objective of understanding the intended meaning this is through an understanding of the use of statistical data, examples and the essence of history in understanding the current phenomenon and predicting the future of the social issue that is discussed in an article (Fairclough 2003, p. 45). Critical discourse analysis must therefore aim at engaging in a systematized exploration of the relationship between a phenomenon and the causative agents. Think between a phenomenon and a causative agent can be understood through an analysis of the discursive practices such as the texts and the event (Fairclough 2003, p. 49). In addition, it is important for the critical discourse analysis to focus on the wider social and cultural structures. This will be facilitated by an investigation of how such structures ideologically shaped by the relations between the law, the existence of abortion and adoption. Through this approach the article will be analysed from three wider perspectives and they include an analysis of the text, analysis of the processes involved in the production of text and an understanding of the text through social analysis. Analysis of text It is important to engage in the description of the text of critical discourse analysis. From the title of the article is already obvious for nay realise that the text is inclined towards adoption at the expense of abortion. This text does not cover a wide range of subjects by uses different schools of thought to provide an understanding on the role of different stakeholders in the society such as the health industry, the patients and the government among other stakeholders in ensuring the protection of women and children’s life during different stages of pregnancy (McGovern 2011, p. 1). The article also accepts the fact that not every woman desires to bring up a child especially when they have unplanned pregnancies. It is therefore important for the concerned parties to conduct some of m of programs that will create awareness on the dangers of abortion and the possibility of using adoption as a means of protecting life at its pre-natal stage. It is important to note that despite there being a possibility of many people accessing and reading the text, it is possible for these individuals to have different understandings of the prevailing social phenomenon (Street 1996, p. 56). In terms of the analysis of the linguistic choices that McGovern makes, the text analysis begins with the most frequently used features of the text. For instance, McGovern uses unmarked themes in most of his paragraphs as a way of using language to stress on different factors (Fairclough 2003, p. 80). This draws the focus of the reader to some of the paragraphs such as the third paragraph which begins with the statement, “This is a critical time…” as a way of emphasizing on the essence of time in addressing the challenges that are related to the issues of adoption and abortion. McGovern continues with his use of unmasked themes as a way of providing the differences between the paragraphs that define his supposition and those that are based on misleading claims. This is one way of presenting counter arguments to the beliefs concerning the abortion. In paragraph 23, McGovern begins by stating that “For our purposes here… it is important to note the effects on a mother of the death of a child…just before or after birth” (McGovern 2011, p. 1) This is a way through which McGovern uses language to highlight and sum up claims concerning arguments that have been made in the preceding paragraphs. In addition, the introductory aspect in this paragraph is used as a technique of presenting facts (Fairclough 2003, p. 67). This is a rhythm that is repeated in other paragraphs such as paragraphs 24 which begins with the words, “Let us return to our account of forced and closed adoption…” (McGovern 2011, p. 1). As a way of enhancing the factual parts of this text McGovern uses the technique exclusion. This involves leaving out the participants who in the real sense are part of the action (Fairclough et al 2007, p. 34). McGovern uses the words “Compared to a carefully matched comparison group…” to provide a comparative analysis (McGovern 2011, p. 1). It is important to note that he uses this analysis without telling the reader the major individuals who form part of this group. The use of comparative groups is used as a way of excluding a group of individuals from the article despite their essence as part of the experiments conducted in the assessment of the psychological effects of abortion on mothers. He underpins these distinctions by using passive voice which is a technique through which he allows exclusions to occur (Fairclough et al 2007, p. 67). It is important to note the McGovern uses active voice as a technique of bringing out the desired participants who form the major area of focus in support McGovern’s ideas concerning abortion and adoption. Other than the use of exclusivity in his article, McGovern repeatedly uses historical data throughout the article as a way of generating some form of authority and developing authenticity or his article and the findings. The use of historical data especially those which are related to the number of abortions that have occurred in Australia help in the organization of different parts of the text to create a relationship between the dangers of abortion and the benefits of adoption. It is important to note that the use of historical data provides some form of relational and verbal processes which allows McGovern to make negative assertion and in some instances he is also able to establish values related to the procurement of abortion while at the same tie drawing evidence from authoritative materials such as the bible. This is one way through which McGovern poses fundamental questions regarding the credibility of abortion. When it comes to the parts that were dealing with facts concerning the benefits of adoption, it is possible to notice that this process tends to possess a large number of materials considering that McGovern provides a detailed explanation of the necessary steps that must be executed for individuals who believe that open adoption is better than abortion. In some instances, while trying to provide sufficient evidence ta supports open adoption, McGovern introduces the existential process as a way of integrating new information with the objectives of his study. Interpretation This part of analysis provides a focus on the situational context of the article while much focus will be on the time and place. The article by McGovern was published on the Quadrant Books on a website known as Quadrant Online.com on October 2011. This was following the 2009-10 statistical data which indicated that at least 80,000 abortions had occurred in Australia compared to 61 local adoptions in the same country (McGovern 2011, p. 1). The timing and place, Australia, are central to the undemanding of the evolution of adoption and abortion in the world and in Australia. The publication of this article was following numerous publications that were focusing on other social evils that had become a characteristic of the Australian society. Some of these publications included claims such as the need by the government to introduce effective rights for asylum seekers. In addition, there have been publications concerning general awareness concerning health factors in the society. It is important to note that these publications provided enough reasons for explaining the relationship between low levels of awareness on health matters, an influx in the number of asylum seekers and the rise in the levels of abortion (McGovern 2011, p. 1). One of the most interesting aspects of this article is that it takes a negative approach that McGovern uses in the process of detailing different aspects of abortion. According to McGovern, the statistics of abortion amaze and outrage different individuals in the society. McGovern also employs sarcasm in the process of detailing the consequences of abortion since the 21st century (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This article claims that in this century abortion was considered as a better option for women and girls, who for numerous reasons were not ready to raise the conceived child. In addition, the article also lays the claim that the reduction in the rate of adoption is attributable to a rise in the rate of abortion. It is important to note that also uses the negative aspect of abortion as a technique o discouraging more individuals from participating in the vice (McGovern 2011, p. 1). According to McGovern, abortion causes harm to many women and this leads to an increase of suicide rates, anxiety, personality disorders and sleep disorder among others (McGovern 2011, p. 1). One of the most interesting aspects in article is that the evidence against abortion can be considered as the main reason for the intention to accept open abortion as an alternative for unplanned pregnancies. It is important to note that McGovern draws his assertions about abortion from Women’s Forum Australia, which according to McGovern has been reviewed all abortion related articles (McGovern 2011, p. 1). In addition, this body also drew most of its evidence from peer reviewed journals for about 15 years. From these reviews, McGovern concludes that most of the negative aspects resulting from unplanned pregnancies are psychological harms that have some form of relationship with abortion. These include negative emotions, depression, traumatic stress disorder and psychiatric problems among other complications (McGovern 2011, p. 1). It is possible to argue that the views presented by McGovern are acceptable to the interest of Quadrant Books. This is because in the process of documenting his ideas in this article McGovern uses the plural sense as a way of depicting ownership of the ideas and inclusivity of interested parties in support of open adoption against abortion. The term “We” is used in most parts of the article. It is possible to argue that by accepting to publish the article in its website, Quadrant Books was in agreement with the ideas of McGovern(McGovern 2011, p. 1). Abortion is one of the most controversial issues in the world today this is because there are different schools of thought that present divergent views. The issue of adoption is also considered to be relatively controversial especially on matters related to the intentions or the ability of the adopting parents to provide sufficient care to their adopted children (McGovern 2011, p. 1). It is opposable to argue that the article presented by McGovern is relatively biased since it only focuses on most of the negative aspects of abortion despite the possibility that the act of abort could also be beneficial to the mother or the child considering numerous medical and ethical aspects (McGovern 2011, p. 1). This criticism can also be considered as a technique of defining the realities of abortion and adoption considering that it has the capacity to select, structure, shape and represent the objectives of different ideas. It is also possible to argue that criticisms to the ideas of McGovern may be reflective of how the suppositions of one idea and he meanings can win credibility or legitimacy over other available meanings (McGovern 2011, p. 1). Explanation This section of analysis focuses on the underlying ideological position that is adopted in this article. It is important to note that ideology is a way through which meaning can be mobilized by the use of symbolic forms which obliged to establish and sustain relations of power. This is an indication that ideology comprises different meanings which can be related through language or through other forms of domination that can only be experienced when there is some form of imbalance in power relations (Jaspers 2010, p. 192). The transmission of an ideology can take different forms especially when there is some form of bias in the expression of the ideas that are inherent of that ideology (Pennycook 2001, p. 88). In terms of an understanding of the meaning of a critical discourse analysis, meaning is often embedded in the phenomenon that defines a social situation (Verschueren 2011, p. 17). From a simple ideological perspective it is possible to argue at the deifying ideology that motivated the development of McGovern’s article was that o societal interests. McGovern has numerous reasons to take a potion against abortion and encourage members of the society to embrace open adoption. He is for example driven by the tribulations and the pains that women who procure abortions undergo (McGovern 2011, p. 1). In addition, McGovern is also concerned of the psychological stability of these women especially by losing the parent-child bond that is often developed between a woman and her unborn child. It is important to note that there is a possibility that McGovern was proposing his ideas as a way of criticizing government policies that support abortion at the expense of adoption. This can be viewed as a technique through which McGovern was trying to propel his ideology and emphasises on the need for the government to develop adequate structures in support of adoption(McGovern 2011, p. 1). In addition, McGovern arrives at this level by asserting by conducting an in-depth study on abortion related articles and peer-reviewed journals outside his area of academic expertise as a way of gaining significant support from different stakeholders within the society that are capable of influencing the decision making process in government operations (McGovern 2011, p. 1). There are numerous techniques that can be used in frustrating the existing consensus on a prevailing ideology. This includes the creation of doubt and the development of false facts (Jaspers 2010, p. 192). In the case of McGovern, he uses the technique of creating doubt in the studies that have been conducted concerning the benefits of abortion. This is especially by conducting studies on the psychological effects that abortion may have on the life of a mother. The depressing nature of the findings is an indication of the creation of a possibility to doubt of the findings of earlier studies concerning the perceived benefits of abortion. Conclusion The use of critical discourse analysis has the ability to reveal a significant amount of information concerning defend circumstances of the publication of strongly positioned article on abortion and adoption. It is possible to note that by engaging in a critical study of the article by McGovern reveals different applications of the power of language. The application of ate technique of critical analysis as a framework of understanding the content of the article reveals a richer context that can be used in understanding the text. References Cope. B, & Kalantzis, M. (eds) 2000, Multiliteracies: Literacy learning and the design of social futures, Routledge, London. Fairclough, N, 2003, Analysing discourse: Textual analysis for social research. London: Routledge Fairclough, Norman, Guiseppina Cortese, and Patrizia Ardizzone. 2007. Discourse and contemporary social change. Cambridge: Polity Press. Jaspers, Jürgen, Jef Verschueren, and Jan-Ola Östman. 2010. Society and language use. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Pub. Co. Joseph, J 2006 language and Politics Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. McGovern, K, 2011, Adoption is Better than Abortion. Quadrant Book. file:///G:/hehe/Adoption is Better than Abortion — Quadrant Online.htm Pennycook, A. 2001, Critical Applied Linguistics: A Critical Introduction, Lawrence Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ. Street, B. 1996, Social Literacies: Critical Approaches To Literacy In Development, Longman, Ethnography And Education, London:. Van Leeuwen, T. (2009) Discourse and Practice – New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press: Verschueren, Jef. 2011. Ideology in language use: pragmatic guidelines for empirical research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More

This means that the use of language in the understanding and organizing social existence can be understood by the ability of different members of the society to understand different approaches that can be used to ensure that the consequences of any actions are pre-empted and understood (Joseph 2006, p. 19). In addition, language can also be used in the interpretation of the proposed social phenomenon and this means that the social analysis can be used in the process of understanding the role of language at all levels in the society (Cope & Kalantzis 2000, p. 26). it is therefore important to ensure the development of effective tools that can be used in the critical examination of text with the objective of understanding the intended meaning this is through an understanding of the use of statistical data, examples and the essence of history in understanding the current phenomenon and predicting the future of the social issue that is discussed in an article (Fairclough 2003, p. 45). Critical discourse analysis must therefore aim at engaging in a systematized exploration of the relationship between a phenomenon and the causative agents.

Think between a phenomenon and a causative agent can be understood through an analysis of the discursive practices such as the texts and the event (Fairclough 2003, p. 49). In addition, it is important for the critical discourse analysis to focus on the wider social and cultural structures. This will be facilitated by an investigation of how such structures ideologically shaped by the relations between the law, the existence of abortion and adoption. Through this approach the article will be analysed from three wider perspectives and they include an analysis of the text, analysis of the processes involved in the production of text and an understanding of the text through social analysis.

Analysis of text It is important to engage in the description of the text of critical discourse analysis. From the title of the article is already obvious for nay realise that the text is inclined towards adoption at the expense of abortion. This text does not cover a wide range of subjects by uses different schools of thought to provide an understanding on the role of different stakeholders in the society such as the health industry, the patients and the government among other stakeholders in ensuring the protection of women and children’s life during different stages of pregnancy (McGovern 2011, p. 1). The article also accepts the fact that not every woman desires to bring up a child especially when they have unplanned pregnancies.

It is therefore important for the concerned parties to conduct some of m of programs that will create awareness on the dangers of abortion and the possibility of using adoption as a means of protecting life at its pre-natal stage. It is important to note that despite there being a possibility of many people accessing and reading the text, it is possible for these individuals to have different understandings of the prevailing social phenomenon (Street 1996, p. 56). In terms of the analysis of the linguistic choices that McGovern makes, the text analysis begins with the most frequently used features of the text.

For instance, McGovern uses unmarked themes in most of his paragraphs as a way of using language to stress on different factors (Fairclough 2003, p. 80). This draws the focus of the reader to some of the paragraphs such as the third paragraph which begins with the statement, “This is a critical time…” as a way of emphasizing on the essence of time in addressing the challenges that are related to the issues of adoption and abortion. McGovern continues with his use of unmasked themes as a way of providing the differences between the paragraphs that define his supposition and those that are based on misleading claims.

This is one way of presenting counter arguments to the beliefs concerning the abortion. In paragraph 23, McGovern begins by stating that “For our purposes here… it is important to note the effects on a mother of the death of a child…just before or after birth” (McGovern 2011, p.

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