What is a primary discourse?

Decoding Discourse: What Really Shapes How We Talk and Act? (Hint: It Starts at Home)

So, we all know what “discourse” means, right? Conversation, basically. But in the world of language experts, it’s way bigger than just chatting. It’s about how we communicate, how we act, even how we think, all depending on the social situation. And if you want to understand how we become who we are, you gotta get your head around the different kinds of discourse. That’s where “primary discourse” comes in – it’s the foundation, the OG discourse, if you will.

This term, “primary discourse,” was coined by James Paul Gee, a smart cookie in the linguistics world. What he’s talking about is the very first discourse you pick up. Think of it as the language and behaviors you soak up as a kid, hanging around your home and community. It’s like your first identity starter kit, giving you the basic tools – the “costume” and “instructions,” as Gee puts it – to play a role that people recognize.

What Makes a Discourse “Primary”?

Okay, so what exactly makes a discourse primary? Here’s the lowdown:

• Learned, Not Taught: This isn’t about formal lessons. You don’t sit down and study “Primary Discourse 101.” Instead, you absorb it, like a sponge, simply by being around your family and community. It’s how you learn your native language, but for social behavior.
• Identity’s Building Block: This is where your sense of “self” begins. Your primary discourse shapes how you see the world and your place in it. It’s the first identity you try on, and it often sticks with you.
• Comfort Zone Language: Think about how you act when you’re just chilling with your family or close friends. That relaxed, unscripted way of talking and behaving? That’s your primary discourse in action.
• Culture in Action: What’s “normal” in one family or community can be totally different in another. Primary discourses reflect those unique values, beliefs, and traditions. It’s like the secret handshake of your social group.
• Not a Ticket to Freedom: Gee argues that primary discourses, no matter who you are, aren’t really “liberating.” To truly break free and critique something, you need to understand both the thing you’re critiquing and have a way to analyze it. Primary discourses are just the starting point.

Examples? I Got Examples!

So, what does primary discourse look like in real life? Plenty of things.

• Family Traditions: Think about how your family celebrates holidays. Is it a huge, boisterous affair with everyone talking at once? Or a quiet, intimate gathering? Those traditions shape your primary discourse. I remember growing up, our Thanksgivings were always at my grandma’s, with the same dishes every year. That’s part of my primary discourse, for sure.
• Local Lingo: Every community has its own slang and sayings. That’s part of the primary discourse, too.
• Core Beliefs: What does your family value? Education? Hard work? Religious faith? Those values become ingrained in your primary discourse.
• Table Manners (and Beyond): How are you expected to behave in social situations? Do you say “please” and “thank you”? Do you make eye contact? These are all part of your primary discourse.
• Communication Style: Are people in your family direct and to-the-point? Or do they beat around the bush? That communication style becomes part of your primary discourse.

Primary vs. Secondary: It’s a Whole New World

Now, primary discourse isn’t the only game in town. There’s also “secondary discourse.” These are the discourses you learn later in life, in places like school, work, or clubs. They’re the codes you need to crack to navigate the wider world. Unlike primary discourse, you usually have to learn secondary discourses, often through formal instruction.

How They All Fit Together

Your primary discourse is the foundation, the lens through which you see and interpret other discourses. Sometimes, your primary discourse aligns perfectly with a secondary discourse. Other times, they clash, creating tension or, even better, opportunities for growth.

Many social groups help their kids succeed by weaving elements of important secondary discourses into their early upbringing.

The Takeaway?

Understanding primary discourse helps us understand ourselves and others. It sheds light on how our identities are formed, how culture shapes us, and how we communicate. By recognizing the power of primary discourse, we can appreciate the diverse perspectives that make our world so interesting. It all starts at home, after all.