"Viktig informasjon om rettigheter og plikter!” : en diskursanalyse av NAVs informasjonsbrosjyre om arbeidsavklaringspenger

Abstract

The study is based on a qualitative study of the information brochure of WorkWelfare Allowance (AAP) authored by The Norwegian Labour and WelfareAdministration (Nav). The aim of the study is to uncover various discourses hidden inthe text. The investigation is based on the clients introduction to his own economicalbenefit in the information brochure of AAP. The research question in the study iswhich discourses are made visible in the text.The study is based on critical discourse analysis. The method identifies and highlightsmeaningful expressions appearing in the prospectus, both linguistic structures andconsequential as it embodies into social practice. The study demonstrate howlanguage and society are mutually dependent, and emphesizes the power relations thatmay be underlying the current social practice. The power governed and executed byNav constitutes a central theme throughout this thesis.The key discourses in the study are: a) the discourse of command, b) the discourse ofexpertise, - and c) the discourse of disipline -the absence og client participation.The study's results are discussed with implications and consequences of the lack offocus on client participation. The study concludes with reflections upon increasedclient participation focus and the concequences of using a more ethical soud languagein the text, as a shift towards more democratic perspectives.