SLDA analyses the ways in which language is used to create and maintain social power and inequality. It assumes that language is not simply a neutral form of communication, but that it is also a tool that can be used to shape people's thoughts, feelings, and actions.
To conduct SLDA, the researcher first selects a text or corpus of texts for analysis. The researcher then uses a variety of methods, such as grammatical analysis, critical discourse analysis, and metaphor analysis, to identify the ways in which the text constructs social reality.
SLDA focuses on the ways in which language is used to:
- Create and maintain social groups
- Legitimate power and authority
- Construct social problems
- Reproduce social inequality
Second-level discourse analysis can reveal the hidden ways in which language is used to shape our thinking and experiences of the social world. It can be a powerful tool for understanding how power and inequality are maintained in society.
To conduct SLDA, the researcher uses the following steps:
1. Identify the text or corpus of texts for analysis.
2. Transcribe the text or texts into a written format, if necessary.
3. Identify the relevant aspects of the text for analysis, such as the grammar, vocabulary, and metaphors used.
4. Use the methods of discourse analysis to analyze the text.
5. Interpret the results of the analysis in light of the research questions.
The results of SLDA can be used to understand the ways in which language is used to create and maintain social power and inequality. It can also be used to identify ways to challenge and resist social injustice.