Identitation : researching identity processes of professional singers from a discourse-theoretical perspective

Abstract

The discussion in this article focuses on the use of discourse theory in research on identity formation in professional education. Michel Foucault’s works and ideas inspire researchers to work with concepts like discursive space, governmentality and technologies of the self, to explore social and cultural processes involved in identity formation. Within a discourse-theoretical perspective, identity formation is understood as an ever-evolving process, where individuals at any time embody multiple identities in response to patterns of power-relations among individuals and institutions. Identitation is suggested as a new term for the processes of being, having and seeking identity/identities. These ideas are illustrated by findings from a study of professional singers within classical, pop and jazz music, respectively.- Keywords: identitation, discourse analytic research, Foucault, professional singers