James Paul Gee talks about the different meanings of discourse. Discourse with a capital d is when you say or write a combination of values, beliefs, being, and doing. Lowercase discourse is a part of upper case discourse. Discourse means connected stretches of language that make sense. Discourse is taking on a role others can identify, a way of being in the world. They are forms of life that integrate words, acts, values, beliefs, attitudes, social identities, gestures, glances, body positions, and clothes. James Paul Gene also mentions the four different types of discourse. Primary Discourse is the one someone grows up with, the first discourse. It is home based, a foundation for other discourses. Examples are your home or peer group. Secondary Discourse commands and demands use of more than one discourse. Someone needs multiple discourses to fit in the situation. Examples are local stores, churches, and schools. Dominant Discourse is the mastery of a secondary discourse that, depending on the situation, brings social goods. Social goods like money, status, etc. Non dominant Discourse is the mastery of a secondary discourse that, depending on the situation, brings solidarity with a particular social network (not wider status or social goods in the society)
Gail E. Hawisher talks about how people need to know how to use computers well nowadays in order to fit in many different social spheres. Working well with computers will help you succeed in school, work, and the community. This is an example of a discourse, since it is a role needed to fit in. There are specific cultural, material, educational, and familiar contexts that influence and are influenced by the acquisition and development of computer usage. Someone’s literacy is a big part of how they fit into their social spheres. Depending on their literacy, they will have different groups and different types of friends. Many factors shape and are shaped by people’s literacy efforts: social contexts, educational practices, values, expectations, cultural and ideological formations (race, class, gender, political and economic trends/events, family practices, and experiences), historical/material conditions, etc. So learning how to use computers is important to fit in with desired groups like school or the community as a whole.
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