Diskursus
/id/Source Language: The language or dialect this term originates from (ID).Definition & Context
NounNoun
A word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas.
A deep and structured discussion of a particular topic or idea, especially within academic, social science, and philosophical contexts. Refers to the entire system of thought, arguments, and exchange of ideas that shapes collective understanding of a given issue. (Synonyms: discourse, scholarly discussion, deliberation)
Synonyms & Variants
mudzakarah
A term from Islamic scholarly tradition (Arabic: مُذَاكَرَة) referring to a session of deep discussion or study among scholars or students on a religious or intellectual matter. Used in pesantren communities and Islamic educational institutions as a religiously-inflected equivalent of 'discourse'.
pembahasan
The process or result of systematically examining and elaborating on a topic. More general and neutral than 'diskursus', commonly used in both formal and semi-formal academic contexts.
perbincangan ilmiah
A more descriptive and explicit register variant compared to 'diskursus'. Used in formal academic contexts but more accessible to general audiences due to its compositional nature.
percakapan
A casual, everyday form referring to an exchange of thoughts between individuals. In sociolinguistic contexts, used as a downgraded register equivalent of 'discourse', losing its structural and academic nuance.
wacana
The most common and direct equivalent of 'diskursus' in formal Indonesian. Both refer to structured systems of thought and exchange of ideas, but 'wacana' is more widely used across academic and media contexts.
diskusi
Closely related but not identical. 'Diskusi' refers to a single, more limited and concrete exchange of opinions, whereas 'diskursus' encompasses the broader and more abstract system of discourse within a field.
bahasan
A more neutral and general synonym. 'Bahasan' can be used in both formal and semi-formal contexts, but lacks the philosophical and theoretical weight inherent in 'diskursus' within social science traditions.
Usage Notes or Etymology
The word diskursus is borrowed from the Latin discursus, derived from the verb discurrere, meaning “to run about” or “to discuss at length”. It entered Indonesian through Dutch discours and English discourse. In modern philosophy and social sciences, the term was significantly popularized by French philosopher Michel Foucault, who used it to describe systems of knowledge and power that construct social reality. In Indonesia, it is predominantly used in academic writing, scholarly journals, and formal seminars as a precise equivalent of the more colloquial term “wacana”.
Real-world Usage
Diskursus soal demokrasi di seminar itu panjang banget sih.
English Translation
Representative of real-world usage and contextual accuracy.