What is a secondary discourse?

Cracking the Code of Social Circles: What’s a Secondary Discourse, Anyway?

Ever feel like you need a secret decoder ring to understand what’s going on in different social situations? Like you’re fluent in “family speak” but stumble over the lingo at work? That’s where the idea of “secondary discourses” comes in. It’s a fancy term, sure, but the concept is super useful for understanding how we all navigate the world.

Basically, think of it this way: your “primary discourse” is the OG – the language, behaviors, and beliefs you soaked up at home as a kid. It’s your foundation, your social DNA. But as you venture out into the world – school, jobs, clubs, even online gaming – you pick up new ways of talking, acting, and even thinking. These are your secondary discourses.

I remember my first internship – I was so used to chatting casually with my friends that I almost called my boss “dude” in an email! Luckily, I caught myself. But that’s a perfect example of learning a new secondary discourse – the professional one.

What Makes a Secondary Discourse Tick?

So, what are the key ingredients of these social codes?

• Learned, Not Born With: You don’t magically know how to debate like a lawyer or code like a programmer. You learn it by being around lawyers and programmers, picking up their habits and lingo. It’s all about immersion.
• Context is King (or Queen!): What flies at a football game definitely doesn’t fly in a library. Secondary discourses are all about knowing what’s appropriate for the situation.
• Identity Shifting: Ever feel like a different person around different people? That’s because secondary discourses let you try on different roles. They’re like social costumes that help you fit in (or stand out, if that’s your thing).
• Power Plays: This is where it gets interesting. Some secondary discourses – like the language of business or medicine – carry more weight than others. Mastering these can open doors to better jobs, more respect, and, let’s be honest, more money. Others, like the slang used in a close-knit friend group, might not have the same social currency, but they create a sense of belonging.

Why Bother Learning These Social Codes?

Honestly, it’s about survival – and thriving! Being able to navigate different secondary discourses means you can:

• Smoothly Navigate Social Situations: No more awkward silences or foot-in-mouth moments (well, fewer, anyway!).
• Unlock Opportunities: Knowing the right language can get you that promotion, that acceptance letter, that seat at the table.
• Connect With Others: When you speak someone’s language – literally or figuratively – you build bridges.

Of course, it’s not always easy. Sometimes, your primary discourse clashes with a new secondary discourse. Maybe your family values honesty above all else, but you find yourself in a workplace where “playing the game” is the norm. That can be tough. You might have to code-switch – consciously changing your behavior to fit the situation.

Secondary Discourses in the Wild: A Few Examples

The possibilities are endless, but here are a few common ones:

• The Ivory Tower Talk: Academic writing, with its citations, jargon, and obsession with being “rigorous.”
• The Corner Office Code: Professional language, all about “synergy,” “leveraging,” and “moving forward.”
• The Pulpit Pronouncements: Religious discourse, filled with scripture, parables, and pronouncements about morality.
• The Digital Dialect: Online lingo, with its memes, acronyms (LOL, BRB), and ever-evolving slang.

The Bottom Line?

Secondary discourses are the keys to unlocking social success. By understanding how they work, we can become better communicators, build stronger relationships, and navigate the world with more confidence. And by recognizing the power dynamics at play, we can challenge inequalities and create a more inclusive society. So, next time you find yourself feeling like an outsider, remember the concept of secondary discourses – and start cracking the code!