Cultural approaches to discourse analysis: A theoretical and methodological conversation with special focus on Donal Carbaugh's Cultural Discourse Theory

This essay opens a conversation in the Journal of Multicultural Discourses on cultural approaches to discourse analysis. Culturally-inclusive approaches to discourse analysis and communication that critique Western-biased theories and methods are covered including Jan Blommaert's Critical Discourse Analysis, Shi-xu's Cultural Approach to Discourse, and Asian communication theories. An extensive review of the historical development of Donal Carbaugh's Cultural Discourse Theory and Analysis is given as well as an explanation of its current practice today. All four approaches are compared and contrasted in terms of their definitions, objectives, methods of data collection and analysis, and the role of critique. It is hoped that the essay will invite future extended discussions of culturally-inclusive approaches to discourse analysis in the journal.