ABSTRACT
The theoretical construction of discourse originated from French structuralism and post-structuralism. Since discourse involves the subject of speech and writing, it highlights the subjectivity of language and discourse. The turn to discourse means the establishment of new research objects and leads to the discussions of new theories and methods. In the rebellious movement of post-structuralism against structuralism, the prominence of the term “discourse” marks a break with traditional views on language and representation. The enlightenment of Althusser’s essay “Ideology and Ideological State Apparatuses” to discourse studies lies in the fact that it urges people to pay attention to the generation and function of discourse and ideology. In the knowledge genealogy of discourse theory, Foucault’s discourse theory has always enjoyed authoritative and classical status. Foucault regards discourse as the basis of general cultural practice from which all forms and categories of cultural life and his own criticism of it are gathered.
