Text:
* Definition: A written or spoken sequence of words. It's the physical manifestation of language.
* Focus: The literal meaning of the words, their grammatical structure, and the organization of sentences.
* Example: "The cat sat on the mat."
Discourse:
* Definition: The meaning-making process that occurs when language is used in a particular context. It's about how language is interpreted and understood.
* Focus: The context, the intentions of the speaker/writer, the social and cultural factors influencing communication, and the way the text is received by the audience.
* Example: "The cat sat on the mat." The discourse analysis might consider:
* Who said it?
* What was the situation?
* What did the speaker want to convey?
* How did the listener understand the statement?
Relationship:
* Text is the raw material for discourse: Discourse can't exist without text. It's the text that provides the words and structures that form the basis for interpretation.
* Discourse gives meaning to text: The text itself is just a collection of words. It's the discourse analysis that brings in the context, intentions, and cultural understanding to give the text meaning.
* Discourse can be interpreted in different ways: Depending on the context, the same text can be understood in different ways. This shows how the meaning is not inherent in the text itself, but created through discourse.
Analogy:
Think of text as a recipe. It provides the ingredients and instructions. Discourse is the act of actually making the dish – using the recipe in a particular context, adjusting it based on your ingredients and equipment, and creating a final product.
In summary:
Text is the physical representation of language, while discourse is the meaning-making process that occurs when language is used. Text provides the raw material for discourse, and discourse gives meaning to text.