Postcolonial Discourse Analysis

[Colette]

Theurban Indigenous older adult population in Canada continues to grow; however, there is a lack of understanding of how non-Indigenous health and social services and Indigenous-specific organizations are responding to and addressing the growth of this population. Therefore, in this research, we conducted a postcolonial discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews with six decision-makers (e.g., managers and directors of health and social services organizations) and seven service providers (e.g., program coordinators and social workers) from Indigenous and non-Indigenous health and social service organizations in Ottawa, Canada, to examine how they produce understandings of supporting urban Indigenous older adults to age well. The participants produced three main discourses: (a) non-Indigenous organizations have a responsibility to support Indigenous older adults, (b) culturally specific programs and services are important for supporting Indigenous older adults to age well, and (c) it is difficult for community stakeholders to support Indigenous older adults to age well because this population is hard to reach. The results demonstrate the complexities and tensions that community stakeholders face in supporting Indigenous older adults to age well within a sociopolitical environment informed by reconciliation and a sociodemographic trend of an aging population.

In keeping with IIPJ's Open Access policy, IIPJ has a shared approach to copyright. A shared approach means that authors do not have to waive all of their rights to the work published in IIPJ. By submitting to IIPJ, the author(s) grant(s) IIPJ the right to:

Four years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a group of Public Administration scholars met in New York's Adirondack Mountains to discuss the future of the field. At this gathering, the Minnowbrook I Conference, scholars acknowledged the need for social equity. Today, more than fifty years later, there is still a need for social equity. There is still a need to understand the history and role of oppression within Public Administration. Apropos, in this dissertation, I interrogate oppression, by way of postcolonialism and critical discourse analysis, to learn about the field's darkness and splendor. This project aims to help administrators reimagine a field and democracy for all. This dissertation is both an exercise in self-reflection and an invitation to become self-conscious about colonialism in our discourse. Explicitly, this project's central research question is: Does the American Public Administration Discourse (APAD) exhibit colonial discourse as a basis of power? Herein, discourse means a set of relationships between people, institutions, language, and rhetorical practices within Public Administration in the United States, post-1968. To answer the main research question, I used qualitative content analysis to analyze, via NVivo12, a purposive sample of 38 vital journal-length texts from the field. To inform and guide my study, I developed a deductive coding frame for colonial discourse. The frame includes three main categories and seven subcategories: Eurocentrism (Historicism, Developmentalist Fallacy and the Cult of Progress, Parochiality of Scientism, and Orientalism), the Civilizational Mission (Didactic Despotism and Neocolonial Prosperity Mission), and the Colonial Difference (Binarism). Per my qualitative content analysis, across the sample, colonial discourse is commonplace and taken for granted. While several texts challenge colonial discourse, they are often ambivalent in that they attack one dimension of colonial discourse while reinforcing another.

The synthesis of Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis presents a compelling avenue for scrutinizing the enduring imprints of colonialism in textual narratives and beyond. This intellectual endeavor harnesses a spectrum of methodologies and tools, ranging from narrative analysis to cutting-edge software, to dissect and reinterpret the complex interplay between colonial legacies and contemporary discourses. This exploration is segmented into three pivotal areas: textual analysis in post-colonial contexts, methodological approaches to post-colonial discourse analysis, and the employment of advanced tools and techniques. Each segment illuminates a facet of how discourses of power, resistance, and identity are intricately woven into the fabric of texts and mediated interactions, offering insights into the mechanisms through which colonial narratives are both perpetuated and contested. Through this multifaceted examination, the fields of Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis converge to provide a robust framework for understanding and ultimately transforming the narratives that shape our understanding of post-colonial realities.

In the intersection of Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis, methodologies focus on critically examining the ways in which colonial legacies are embedded and contested within textual narratives. This examination reveals the intricate dynamics of power, resistance, and the ongoing processes of decolonization within discourses. Two critical methodologies in this domain include analyzing narratives of power and resistance and decolonizing discourse. These methodologies not only illuminate the complexities of post-colonial conditions but also contribute to the broader project of understanding and transforming them.

The methodologies of analyzing narratives of power and resistance and decolonizing discourse within Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis provide vital tools for engaging with the complexities of the post-colonial condition. Through textual analysis, scholars can uncover the deep-seated colonial legacies embedded within discourses and contribute to the ongoing efforts to decolonize knowledge, language, and identity. These methodologies not only illuminate the structures of power and resistance but also empower individuals and communities to actively participate in reshaping the discourses that define their realities.

Methodological approaches to Post-Colonial Discourse Analysis encompass a range of strategies designed to uncover and critique the colonial legacies embedded within discourses and texts. By integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods, researchers can provide a comprehensive analysis of how colonialism and its aftermath are constructed and contested in various discourses. This dual approach allows for the exploration of broad patterns and trends (quantitative) as well as deep, nuanced understanding (qualitative) of post-colonial issues. Additionally, case studies serve as valuable examples to illustrate the application of these methodologies in real-world contexts.

The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods in Post-Colonial Discourse Analysis offers a robust framework for examining the multifaceted ways in which colonial legacies manifest in discourse. Through detailed case studies, researchers can apply these methodologies to concrete examples, providing insights into the complexities of post-colonial discourses and contributing to a deeper understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonialism in contemporary societies.

In Post-Colonial Theory applied within Discourse Analysis, leveraging sophisticated tools and techniques can significantly enhance the depth and breadth of analysis. This encompasses both the utilization of software and resources tailored for discourse analysis and the methodologies for analyzing visual and multimedia texts, which are increasingly important in a digital and visually oriented world. These tools and techniques facilitate a more nuanced understanding of how colonial legacies and power dynamics are embedded and contested across various forms of communication.

Visual and multimedia texts, including films, photographs, advertisements, and social media content, are rich sites for post-colonial analysis. The following techniques are crucial for engaging with these forms of discourse:

Incorporating software and specialized methodologies for analyzing textual and visual/multimedia materials enriches Post-Colonial Discourse Analysis by offering deeper, more nuanced insights into the complex interplay of language, power, and identity. These tools and techniques enable researchers to conduct thorough and multifaceted analyses of both traditional and new media texts, shedding light on the pervasive influence of colonial legacies in contemporary discourses and visual cultures.

The confluence of Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis equips scholars with a comprehensive toolkit for delving into the nuances of colonial and post-colonial discourses. By adopting a multifaceted approach that incorporates analyzing narratives of power and resistance, decolonizing discourse, and integrating both qualitative and quantitative methods, this interdisciplinary venture offers profound insights into how colonial histories and power dynamics are inscribed and challenged in textual and multimedia narratives. The application of specialized software and resources further enhances the depth and precision of analysis, enabling a detailed exploration of both textual and visual discourses.

Through case studies and methodological explorations, this synthesis not only highlights the persistence of colonial narratives but also foregrounds the innovative strategies employed to contest and reshape these narratives. From the critical examination of textbooks and literary works to the analysis of social media and multimedia content, the methodologies and tools discussed reveal the layers of meaning and resistance embedded within post-colonial discourses. This comprehensive approach underscores the ongoing relevance of Post-Colonial Theory and Discourse Analysis in unraveling the complex legacies of colonialism and in fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic processes of decolonization and identity formation.

As we navigate the complexities of a globalized world still grappling with the shadows of colonialism, the insights garnered from this interdisciplinary synthesis serve as a beacon for ongoing scholarly endeavors. They not only illuminate the intricate dynamics of power, resistance, and identity inherent in post-colonial discourses but also offer pathways for critical engagement and transformation. In doing so, this exploration contributes to a broader project of understanding and reshaping the discourses that define our post-colonial condition, advocating for a more equitable and inclusive understanding of our shared histories and futures.

3a8082e126