Discourse communities


In "Discourse Communities and Communities of Practice: Membership, Conflict, and Diversity," Ann Johns argues "communities of practice are seen as complex collections of individuals who share genres, language, values, concepts and ways of being." Communities of practice also know as discourse communities are where people become less of an individual and where they find themselves as part of a group. I find myself part of multiple discourse communities for example my dance studio and the gym. In both there is a "broadly agreed set of common public goals." These goals unite us they are what bring us back together every week. My mother argues that I'm obsessed and thats why I dedicate so much time at these places but I think what I do is normal. A long time ago I complained to one of my fellow dancers that my mother called me obsessed and she said that what I'm doing every week is the definition of dedication. She's totally right. In your face mother. 

I like that in the process of becoming a member of a new discourse community I find that I think less about myself and more about those around me. I become a more thoughtful person. On Saturdays I’ve started giving my dance teacher a ride home. She doesn’t live far but after teaching four classes in a row I think she deserves to get home asap and relax. At dance I try to help take the barres out and get the room set up. At the gym I find myself wondering if this one kid has a ride home and offering him one. I know these are small acts and if I didn’t try to do them then no one would really care buts its not about that. Its about feeling like I have a place and like I belong. And these acts help me feel like I belong. I get to think of myself as part of this wonderful and rewarding community, I go to school twice a week and on those days I feel energized because I know that at 3:15 I'll be leaving my poli sci class and heading over to dance and I'll get to have fun and spend time with people. 

When adopting a new identity I find myself struggling and at times succeeding to let go of my hesitation to speak. For example, at dance, even though I’ve been there for years, I still have to push myself to ask questions and raise my voice. 


What worries me about assuming a new identity is letting go of certain things about myself. Theres only so much time in a day, I can only be part of so many discourse communities. As I age I realize more and more that my life can't stay the same. One day I won't get to spend the second half of my day working out and having fun. I think about this often. I guess thats just life. We will adopt new identities and say farewell to old ones. 

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 15, 2018 at 11:48 PM

    Hey Alessandra,
    I'm glad to hear that you become so involved in every one of the discourses you are a part of. That caring trait is unique in today's society and I hope you hold on to that as long as possible. What discourse do you plan to immerse yourself in terms of a career?
    -Luis Dario Salas

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  2. UnknownNovember 16, 2018 at 1:17 PM

    Hi Alessandra,
    I think it's great that you've found a discourse community that you feel comfortable and "at home" in. I think it's important to have at least two or three communities in which you feel like your identity is more closely linked to who you feel you actually are. I agree that joining a new discourse community or assuming a new identity kit can be somewhat scary at times, especially because you never know what to expect at first. But, I think if everyone puts a little dedication into their new community (just like you did with your dance studio) they will fit in nicely over time.
    Great post!
    Yliana Alba

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mariel TejadaNovember 16, 2018 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Alessandra,

    I agree with you when you talked about the feeling of belongingness. Being a part of something makes us feel comfortable and once we find a new community to join sometimes it can make us feel uneasy but overtime we take it and use it as a learning experience and for us to grow.

    Mariel Tejada

    ReplyDelete

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