Critical Discourse Analysis and Cognitive Science ― New Perspectives on Immigration Discourse

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is an exciting research enterprise which aims to disclose ideological and persuasive properties of social and political texts. Since its inception, CDA has been theoretically eclectic, drawing its methods from linguistics and across the social sciences. However, CDA has paid relatively little attention to the relationship between text and cognition and neglected relevant developments in cognitive science. This study advances a model for CDA which draws on two areas of cognitive science, Evolutionary Psychology and Cognitive Linguistics, to provide a novel approach to analysing immigration discourse. Its major strength lies in the fact that it goes beyond pure text description to offer cognitive insights into how and why manipulation and the communication of ideology are possible in discourse.

Now in paperback, this book will appeal to students and researchers interested in connections between language, mind, media and politics and especially those looking to explore new frameworks for CDA.

Christopher Hart is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at Lancaster University, UK. His research focuses on the relationship between discourse and cognition in political contexts. He is co-editor of the volume Cognitive Linguistics in Critical Discourse Analysis: Application and Theory (2007).