According to John Swales what is a discourse community
According to John Swales, a discourse community is a group of people who share a common goal or interest and use a specific set of communication practices and genres to achieve that goal. Members of a discourse community have a shared language, knowledge, and expertise in the subject matter, and they interact with one another through written or spoken discourse. The community may have specific criteria for gaining membership and may also have certain social norms and expectations regarding communication within the community.
According to John Swales, a discourse community is a group of individuals who share a common goal or purpose and use communication to achieve that goal. They have specific ways of communicating, using specialized language and shared knowledge. Swales suggests that a discourse community typically exhibits six defining characteristics:
1. Common Goals: Members of a discourse community have a shared purpose or objective, working toward a common goal.
2. Intercommunication: Members communicate with each other regularly, using both formal and informal channels.
3. Participatory Mechanism: Members actively contribute to the community, sharing their knowledge and expertise.
4. Shared Knowledge: Discourse communities have a specific body of knowledge that is shared and understood by its members.
5. Specialized Language: Members use specific language or terminology that is unique to their community, often using jargon or technical terms.
6. Establishing Criteria: Discourse communities have guidelines or criteria that determine who can become a member and how they can participate.
Overall, a discourse community is characterized by its shared purpose, communication practices, shared knowledge, and the use of specialized language. It provides a supportive environment where members come together to achieve a particular objective or engage in a specific field of knowledge.