Critical Discourse Analysis: Women and Domestic Violence

Abstract

This study presents a critica] discourse analysis of six clinical interviews of women suffering intra-home violence from their husbands or living friends, carried out in the box of Psychosocial Centers in Valdivia by Health Professionals in a face-to-face interaction. The results reflect a majority use of the indicative mood, dcclarativc modality, will and predictabilty modal verbs, adverbial disjuncts of point of view and style, content disjuncts with a softening value emphasizing subjunct adverbials. These uses atlow us to appreciate the affective dependency of women who depend financially and emotionally on their husbands or living friends, who abuse and maltreat them. These women also show a desire of change of this situation and the need to look for support and protection in their social and psychological helpless condition.