From Bakhtin to Mediated Multimodal Genre Systems

TitleFrom Bakhtin to Mediated Multimodal Genre Systems
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsPrior, Paul
EditorBonini, Adair, Débora de Darvalho Figueiredo, and Fábio José Rauen
Conference Name4th International Symposium on Genre Studies
Date Published2007
PublisherUniversity of Southern Santa Catarina
Place PublishedTubarão, Brazil
ISBN Number1808-7655
KeywordsBakhtin, genre, Volosinov
Abstract

Voloshinov and Bakhtin’s expansive view of genres as concrete, historical phenomena, theirlinkage of dialogic semiotics (discourse) to the formation of individuals and societies (development), has been taken up in North American genre theory as an invitation to explore relations between genre and sociocultural theories (e.g., of Vygotsky, Schutz, Latour, Bourdieu), to see genres not as isolated texts/events but as forged within systems and chains of discourse woven into mediated activity (e.g., Bazerman; Berkenkotter; Prior; Russell), and to challenge the privileging of public texts by identifying genres that are occluded (Swales) or designed to mediate activity (Spinuzzi). Research has focused on semiotic dimensions of genres (e.g. Kress, Lemke), and situated analyses (e.g., Berkenkotter; Kamberelis; Prior) have investigated ways that literate activity involves laminated, multimodal chains of talk, visual representations, gestures, actions, artifacts, and writing. This presentation argues for the notion of mediated multimodal genre systems both theoretically and empirically.