Asian discourse studies: foundations and directions

Abstract

The study of discourse, or situated linguistic communication, has been mainly dominated by Westcentric perspectives, models, approaches and issues. In this article, I argue that it is not only necessary but also possible to construct Asian paradigms of discourse studies as a new speaker in critical dialogue with the Western mainstream. After pointing out the limitations of Western discourse analysis, I outline the foundations for the paradigmatic articulation in terms of the textual and contextual characteristics of Asian discourses on the one hand and the Asian cultural and intellectual resources on the other hand. In conclusion, I suggest future agendas for the construction of the envisaged Asian paradigms of discourse research.

Keywords:

• scholarly imperialism
• multiculturalism
• linguistic communication
• Asian cultures

Acknowledgements

This research is part of the ‘11th-5-Year’ Key Project, entitled ‘Re-Constructing a Chinese Paradigm of Discourse Studies’ funded by the State Commission of Language Application, China, Serial No: ZD115-02.