Critical discourse analysts are often criticized
for interpreting linguistic data in political contexts, placing
the data in an artificial environment motivated by political
agendas rather than scientific inquiry, and thereby disregarding
findings that would follow from a data-internal and more
empirically grounded analysis. This article argues that critical
discourse analysis may gain proficiency for social analysis
by adopting concepts suitable for cultural and historical analysis
of socialization, as found in Bourdieu. Application is demonstrated
in a study of a job interview, with close linguistic analysis;
close attention is given to the applicant by drawing on evaluations
after the interview and on a retrospective interview with the
applicant. It is proposed that a method combining linguistic
and socio-historical analysis may offer advantages to critical
discourse analysis, including a more systematic approach to
text-external contexts and qualified, balanced perception of
the social agent as a creative yet socially determined
individual.
