dominant discourse

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable or uncountablespecialist

   The set of ideas and ways of talking that a society treats as normal and correct, so other views are pushed aside.

   Grammar: Can be countable with 'a' or 'the' when referring to one specific set of ideas, or uncountable when talking about the general phenomenon: 'the dominant discourse around work'.

   Patterns

   • the dominant discourse around something
   • the dominant discourse of something
   • challenge the dominant discourse

   In the 1990s, the dominant discourse about success focused on money and status.

   Her research shows how the dominant discourse in newspapers ignored the experiences of poorer families.

   Teachers are increasingly encouraged to question the dominant discourse in their own textbooks.

Word forms

Common combinations

challenge the dominant discourse

Young activists used social media to challenge the dominant discourse about climate change.

the dominant discourse around something

The dominant discourse around immigration has shifted in recent years.

part of the dominant discourse

That idea is now part of the dominant discourse in economics.

shape the dominant discourse

A few large media companies help shape the dominant discourse.

Synonyms and how they differ

mainstream view

This is a more everyday phrase; it fits in general conversation better, while 'dominant discourse' is used mainly in academic writing.

orthodoxy

This emphasizes the officially accepted belief, often in religion or politics; 'dominant discourse' focuses more on how language and ideas circulate in society.

Opposites

Word family

discourse noun

Serious spoken or written discussion of a subject, or the language used in a particular field.

dominance noun

The state of being more powerful or more important than others.

dominant adjective

Most important, most powerful, or most noticeable.

Commonly confused: dominant discourse or dominant culture?

Practice

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