By: Alissa Damiano
Understanding the Language:
Within different discourse communities, there are languages that correspond to the specific community that an outsider may not understand without any background knowledge of the community as well as how it works. Elizabeth Wardle discusses this issue in her article titled, “Identity, Authority, and Learning to Write in New Workplaces” and discusses the complexity of breaking down different codes and genres of a specific community. According to Wardle, “Conversely, a person can understand clearly how to speak in ways that are acceptable in particular circumstances, but if not endowed with some recognized institutional authority, all the relevant and appropriate words in the world will not command it.” The same goes for writing, if a writer does not understand the correct language of that specific community, then the authority in the language/ writing is lost and not correctly conveyed to others of that community.
Understanding what is “correct” and “acceptable” language within a community is important so that the readers can gather a sense of authority from you and view you as a knowledgeable member of that community. For example, a “knowledgeable” dance team member would understand all of the terms that should be known as a dancer in order to properly communicate with others on the team. Being able to communicate with others on the team in a way that outside members would not understand makes you a true member of that specific community. This gives you a sense of authority and makes you seem credible and accurate within the knowledge gathered in this community.
Finding Your Identity:
When it comes to identity within a discourse community, new members should be open to changing and building upon their identity. Wardle also discusses in the article how identity “is something that is presented and re-presented, constructed and reconstructed in interaction (including written communication).” If a person’s identity was to never expand and/ or adapt to their community/ surroundings, then they would never be able to adapt to a new community and learn a new language based on a specific community. A person’s identity within a specific community can affect their sense of authority in their writing to others.
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