Discursive Manifestations of Contradictions in Rural Texas Communities

Abstract

In this study of rural Texas communities, we identify different discursive manifestations of contradictions (DMCs): historically forming disturbances in or long-forming societal tensions that develop in relatively durable activity systems. We contrast C2, which had the highest number of DMCs in our study, to C1, which had the lowest. Based on a detailed analysis of these DMCs, we argue that the high number in C2’s interviews reflects C2’s readiness to recognize each others’ interests and deliberate about a shared future. This analysis suggests that DMCs can help professional communicators to productively analyze discourse to diagnose community concerns—a starting point for constructive community dialogue.