Critical discourse analysis : the critical study of language

Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of discourse which views language as a form of social practice and focuses on the ways social and political domination is reproduced by text and talk. Norman Fairclough's classic book on CDA, now in a long-awaited new edition, provides an historical overview to this important discipline and focuses on cutting-edge research in the field. The book brings together in one volume papers from a wide range of sources, many of which are difficult to access. This new edition contains: *Two new and never before published essays, on New Labour, and on CDA and its critics *A new general introduction which provides a thorough grounding in the subject and emphasises the importance of an understanding of the social language of power *A comprehensive overview of Fairclough's distinctive approach to CDA over a period of 25 years *A contemporary manifesto for CDA, and a response to its critics.