What is the Difference Between Text and Discourse?

The main difference between text and discourse lies in their nature and the way they are used in communication. Here are the key differences:

1. Nature: Text refers to any written material that can be read, such as a work of literature, a lesson written on the blackboard, or a street sign. Discourse, on the other hand, is the use of language in a social context, and it can be in written, verbal, visual, or audio form.
2. Interactivity: Text is necessarily non-interactive, while discourse is necessarily interactive. Discourse involves communication between agents and usually serves a specific social purpose.
3. Medium or Form: Text is typically in written form, whereas discourse can be in written, verbal, visual, or audio form.
4. Analysis: To understand the meaning of discourse, one must analyze the agents involved in the communication, the social purpose, and the medium used. In contrast, text can be understood through its coherent set of signs that transmit an informative message.

Examples of texts include press reports, street signs, documents, and literary works. Discourse examples can involve conversations, interviews, speeches, and written communications between individuals.

Comparative Table: Text vs Discourse

Here is a table that highlights the differences between text and discourse:

In summary, text is a static written form of communication, while discourse involves the dynamic use of language in social contexts. Discourse analysis takes into account the agents involved in the communication, their social purposes, and the medium used, whereas text analysis focuses on the cohesion among sentences.