Gee defines literacy as “the mastery of or fluent control over a secondary Discourse” (Gee 9). Secondary discourses are challenging to acquire in a sense that they are difficult to master. Many secondary Discourses are acquired throughout our lives though we are not completely fluent in all of them. Gee has two theorems to describe this. The first states that “someone cannot engage in a Discourse in a less than fully fluent manner” (Gee 9). Meaning if we can not part take in the Discourse to the fullest meaning of the word then we are not members of the Discourse at all, thus leaving us a “pretender” in the eyes of those who are. The second theorem discusses primary Discourses as being limited. Multiple Discourses need to be acquired in order for a primary Discourse to be critiqued or analyzed. Metaknowledge is a term Gee uses to describe this type of critiquing or analyzation. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy also discusses this type of analyzation in her Ted Talk. I find this to be very important as it is the first step to fixing or adjusting anything that may warrant it in a Discourse.
As well as primary and secondary, there are also dominant and nondominant Discourses. “Dominant Discourses are secondary Discourses the mastery of which, at a particular place and time, brings with it the (potential) acquisition of social “goods” (Gee 8). Acquiring a dominant Discourse can come with certain benefits such as wealth, prestige, and status in your community or even larger. This is the Discourse that is most appealing, the Discourse that one should strive for. However, there is a different path for everyone and there is a Discourse for that too. “Non Dominant Discourses are secondary Discourses the mastery of which often brings solidarity with a particular social network, but not wider status and social goods in the society at large” (Gee 8). Non dominant Discourses won’t necessarily lead to money, power and prestige like dominant Discourses will, however, they can lead to a comfortable life in a chosen community, though will most likely not have much status or recognition. Personally, I would make it a goal of mine to acquire a Dominant Discourse but perhaps that is not part of every individuals plans.
- Dominant/NonDominant Discourse
- Acquiring a secondary Discourse
- Metaknowledge/Mushfake
