THE CONCEPT OF DISCOURSE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

This article examines the concept of discourse as a key notion in linguistics, pragmatics, sociology, and related fields. Discourse is understood not merely as a sequence of sentences, but as language in use, embedded in social, cultural, and cognitive contexts. The paper outlines major theoretical approaches to discourse, highlights its defining characteristics, and discusses its role in communication and meaning construction. The study aims to provide a concise yet systematic overview of discourse suitable for academic research in accordance with OAK (Higher Attestation Commission) requirements.