Dialogues of materiality: unravelling the agency of discourse and objects

Abstract

Within current social science discourse, understanding the complex relationship between materiality, agency and discourse is crucially important for grasping the dynamics of social practices and action. This study employs a linguistic ethnography approach to examine the nuanced interplay between discourse, objects and participants within social interactions. Drawing from theoretical frameworks including mediated discourse analysis (MDA), actor-network theory and historical materialism, we explore how materiality and discourse form and coverage one another. Our analysis reveals that objects and discourse are not fixed and static entities but rather dynamic processes that mutually influence and constitute each other within social situations. We argue that while objects possess agency, they are mediated by human participants and broader social forces which emphasises the need for context-specific analysis and examination. Through a dialectical lens, we unpack the intricate ways in which material conditions inform and reflect social relations, demonstrating the role of objects as tangible manifestations of social processes. Our findings enhance a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between agency, materiality and discourse with implications for theories of practice and social interaction. By recognising the role of objects in shaping cultural practices and social dynamics, we enhance our understanding of the processes everyday social life.