Blog Post #3: Gee

Ryan Popp
When Gee describes Discourses with a capital “D,” he explains them as an “identity kit” which comes complete with the appropriate costume and instructions on how to act, talk, and often write, so that as to take on a particular role that others will recognize (526). Gee explains that a discourse with a lower-case “d,” is connected stretches of language that make sense (526). The difference between Discourse and discourse is when someone refers to their appearance, career, personality, etc., they are talking about their Discourse.
Discourse with a capital “D” has nothing to do with what language one speaks, but how they conduct themselves in everyday life. People can be often stereotyped by the Discourse they portray. For example, when we hear the word dentist, we think of nice teeth, scrubs, goggles, professional, and caring personality. This is a dentist’s Discourse. As you can see it has nothing to do with the language he or she speaks, but what they wear and how they act in that particular setting. Now when Gee refers to discourse with a lower-case “d,” he explains it as “a stretch of language that makes sense.” This definition includes things that involve the language one speaks. If someone is using the language they speak in sentences, and if it is being used the right way in grammatical terms, they are using discourse effectively. For example, if someone is being interviewed for a professional job, and responds to questions like, “Well yes, there’s this Walgreens Agency, I worked as a microfilm operator, OK. And it was a snow storm, OK. And it was usually six people workin’ in a group” (Gee 525). This person is using discourse effectively because these are stretches of their language that make sense, but he or she is using Discourse ineffectively because they are using the wrong grammar for this type of interview.
The Discourse that I personally have would have to be the typical white-middle class young man. Everyday, I will wear jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. But when I am put in a professional setting I will dress up in nicer clothes and speak to people differently compared to when I am around friends or family. I do this in order to show I understand their Discourse and respect it. One Discourse that I have experienced is that of an architect. My friend’s father was an architect and I went to the business he worked at to job shadow. When I saw him at my friend’s house he would wear casual clothes and have an outgoing personality. But when I saw him at his job, the Discourse changed. He wore a business suit and acted very professional. He walked around with the typical round tube to hold his designs. He also talked to people in a more powerful voice to show he was all about getting things accomplished. I was surprised at his actions as first, but then realized he had to act this way to show he could fit in the architect Discourse.
I agree with Gee’s definition of literacy, as being fluent in a secondary Discourse. I think this definition is correct because people have to be able to understand a Discourse other than their own. Many persons’ Discourses are different from where they want to go with their lives. If this is the case, they have to become fluent in the Discourse they want to be a part of. Someone may be very smart, but because they don’t come from a Discourse that fits the position they want they will not be accepted. It is important to learn new Discourses because it will open the door for new opportunities.