Text vs Context

Text - A text refers to the actual

words, phrases, sentences, or
symbols that are written or
spoken to convey meaning. It's
the explicit content of a
message or a work of literature.
Context originates from the
notion of weaving together.
It is defined as the
circumstances that form the
setting of events, statements,
or ideas and in the way of which
it can be fully understood and
assessed.
 Context provides the
framework for understanding
the text. It helps to
determine the meaning,
intention, and significance of
the words or symbols used.
 Context can alter the
interpretation of a text, as
the same words can have
different meanings in
different contexts.
 Historical context in
literature refers to the
societal, political, and
cultural influences that
shape a text.
 What major historical
events or period does the
text or event relate to?
How does the setting of
the text or event reflect
the historical era in
which it takes place?
 What societal, political,
or cultural factors
influenced the author's
or participants'
perspectives and choices
during that time?
 How could
understanding historical
context help you as a
21st century learner?
 Linguistic context refers to
the information and
circumstances surrounding a
particular language or
linguistic element that
influence its meaning and
interpretation.
 Understanding linguistic
context is crucial for effective
communication and language
comprehension.
Linguistic context is a fundamental
aspect of language comprehension.
It involves considering the
structure of sentences, the
meanings of words, the intentions
of speakers, and the broader
cultural and social context to
interpret language accurately..
 Understanding linguistic context is
essential for effective
communication, translation,
language processing, and discourse
analysis
 Semantic Context:
Consider the word "bat."
Without semantic context, it
could refer to a sports
equipment or a flying
mammal.
 "He swung the bat," the
semantic context makes it
clear that "bat" refers to a
sports equipment.
 Pragmatic Context:
Imagine someone saying, "It's cold
in here," while looking at an open
window. The pragmatic context
(observation of the open window)
suggests that they may want the
window closed to warm up the
room.
 Syntactic Context:
In the sentence, "The cat chased
the dog," the word "chased" is a
verb. However, in the sentence,
"The chase ended with the cat," the
word "chase" is a noun. The
syntactic context (i.e., the role of
the word in the sentence)
determines its part of speech.
 Idiomatic Expressions:
Idioms are phrases whose
meanings cannot be deduced
from the individual words.
 The phrase "It's raining cats
and dogs" is an idiom in English.
Without an understanding of
the cultural context, a non-
native speaker might take it
literally, whereas native
speakers recognize it as an
expression for heavy rain.
 Biographical context refers to
the personal and life-related
information about an individual,
typically an author or artist,
that can influence their work,
creations, and overall
perspective.
Understanding the biographical
context of a person can shed
light on the motivations,
experiences, and beliefs that
may have shaped their creative
output.
 1. Early Life and Family
Background:
Information about a person's
upbringing, family dynamics, and
socio-economic background can
provide insights into their values,
cultural influences, and the
circumstances that shaped their
early years.
 2. Education and Intellectual
Development:
Details about a person's
educational experiences, including
schools attended, mentors, and
academic interests, can help
explain their knowledge base and
intellectual influences.
 3. Personal Experiences and Life
Events:
Significant life events such as
personal triumphs, tragedies,
travel experiences, or encounters
with notable individuals can be
important sources of inspiration for
creative works.
 4. Political and Social Beliefs:
An individual's political ideology,
social values, and activism can
inform the themes and messages
present in their work. For example,
an artist with strong social justice
convictions may create art that
addresses relevant issues.
 5. Religious and Philosophical
Views:
Religious or philosophical beliefs
can influence an artist's worldview
and the themes they explore in
their creations. These beliefs may
be reflected in the symbolism and
themes of their work.
 6. Mental Health and Personal
Struggles:
An artist's mental health struggles
or personal challenges can be
reflected in their work, sometimes
providing a means of coping, self-
expression, or catharsis.
6. Relationships and Influences:
Personal relationships with
mentors, peers, or romantic
partners can impact an artist's
creative choices, style, and
artistic development.
 7. Geographical Context:
The places where an individual
has lived or spent significant
time can influence their work,
especially when it comes to
settings, landscapes, and
cultural influences.
 8. Historical and Cultural Context:
The historical and cultural period in
which an individual lived can also
shape their work. For instance, an
author from a particular time may
be influenced by the social and
political issues of that era.
 9. Evolution Over Time:
Examining an artist's biographical
context over the course of their life
can reveal how their views, style,
and subject matter evolved and
changed.
 10. Authorial Intent vs.
Interpretation:
Understanding the biographical
context can help clarify an artist's
intent behind their work, but it's
important to note that audiences
may interpret and derive meaning
from the work differently.
Societal context refers to the
broader social, cultural,
political, and historical
environment in which events
occur and people live their
lives.
Understanding societal context
is essential for comprehending
the forces and influences that
shape society, as well as the
way individuals and groups
behave, interact, and create
meaning within that society.
What cultural norms, values,
or beliefs are portrayed in
the text, and how do they
influence the characters'
behavior and decisions?
 In what ways does the text
challenge or critique societal
norms or injustices, and what
message or commentary
does it offer about these
issues?
 1. Cultural Norms and Values:
Societal context includes the
prevailing cultural norms and
values that guide behavior and
shape the beliefs and attitudes of
individuals within a society. These
norms can include expectations
regarding gender roles, family
structure, religion, and more.
 2. Historical Background:
Understanding the historical
context is crucial for grasping how
societies have evolved over time.
Historical events, such as wars,
revolutions, and cultural
movements, have a profound
impact on societal structures and
norms.
 3. Political Systems and
Governance:
The type of government and
political system in a society
significantly influences its laws,
policies, and social order. Societal
context includes the political
framework and ideologies that
shape governance.
 4. Economic Factors:
Economic conditions, such as
wealth distribution, employment
rates, and economic inequality,
affect various aspects of society,
including access to resources,
social mobility, and overall well-
being.
 5. Challenges and Inequalities:
Examining societal context also
involves recognizing and
addressing challenges and
inequalities, such as poverty,
discrimination, access to education
and healthcare, and environmental
concerns.
 Understanding societal
context is critical for
addressing societal
challenges, promoting social
justice, and making informed
decisions about policy,
governance, and cultural
production.
 It allows individuals and
organizations to navigate and
contribute to the complex
web of influences that shape
our world.