Tropes, history, and ethics in professional discourse and information science

: This paper argues that professional discourses tend to align themselves with dominant ideological and social forces by means of language. In twentieth century modernity, the use of the trope of "science" and related terms in professional theory is a common linguistic device through which professions attempt social selfadvancement. This paper examines how professional discourses, in particular those which are foundational for library and information science theory and practice, establish themselves in culture and project historypast and futureby means of appropriating certain dominant tropes in a culture's language. This paper suggests that ethical and political choices arise out of the rhetoric and practice of professional discourse, and that these choices cannot be confined to the realm of professional polemics. I. "Naming" Professions Professional SelfLegitimation Foundational professional texts are concerned with building or presenting a base of theory ...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2000
• Where: JASIS
• Authors: Ronald Day
• Keywords: JASIS 2000, Professional Discourse, Social, Social Forces