Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is unique in that it examines how language develops communicative actors as individuals who are both autonomous and socially situated, devoted to collective goals and social transformation. It explores how discourse constructs, maintains, and challenges social power relations, ideologies, and institutional practices. By investigating the recurring patterns and structures of language use in different social contexts, CDA enables a more profound understanding of social processes, hierarchies, and the influence of social actors’ opinions, behaviors, and positions within society. It emphasizes that language is never neutral but is always embedded in social meaning and struggle. This article will be divided into three main parts. The first part introduces the concept, development, and key theoretical underpinnings of CDA. The second part applies a selected analytical framework to examine a specific discourse context. In the final section, the author explores how CDA can be applied in a classroom setting to enhance critical language awareness and pedagogical practice.
Jinke Yin (Mon,) studied this question.