Context dependence

Definition

Context dependence refers to the way in which the meaning of expressions, words, or sentences can change based on the context in which they are used. This feature is crucial for understanding how language functions in communication, as it affects interpretation through factors like speaker intention, listener knowledge, and the situational background.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Context dependence highlights that meaning isn't fixed; it can shift based on who is speaking, who is listening, and the surrounding circumstances.
2. Indexicals, such as 'I,' 'you,' and 'today,' rely heavily on context for their interpretation, making them prime examples of context dependence.
3. In Discourse Representation Theory (DRT), context is modeled through structures that reflect how information is built up during communication.
4. The debate between contextualism and minimalism revolves around how much context influences meaning, with contextualists arguing for significant influence and minimalists advocating for more stable meanings.
5. Context dependence plays a key role in understanding conversational implicatures, where the implied meaning goes beyond what is explicitly stated.

Review Questions

• How does context dependence impact the use of indexicals in language?
  • Context dependence fundamentally shapes how indexicals like 'I' and 'you' function in conversation. Their meanings are not fixed but instead rely heavily on the identity of the speaker and listener as well as the situational context. For example, 'I am here' could mean something different depending on who is saying it and where they are, illustrating that these expressions cannot be understood without considering their specific contexts.
• Discuss how Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) addresses context dependence in understanding meaning within discourse.
  • Discourse Representation Theory (DRT) addresses context dependence by creating structures that represent both the content of utterances and their context. These structures help track shifts in reference and presupposition throughout a conversation. By modeling how context informs meaning, DRT allows for a nuanced understanding of how information accumulates and interacts within discourse, showing that meaning can evolve with context.
• Evaluate the implications of the contextualism vs. minimalism debate regarding context dependence in understanding language meaning.
  • The contextualism vs. minimalism debate has significant implications for how we understand context dependence in language. Contextualists argue that meaning is largely shaped by situational factors and speaker intentions, suggesting that understanding language requires deep engagement with the context of use. In contrast, minimalists contend that there are stable meanings inherent to expressions that remain relatively constant across contexts. This debate challenges us to consider whether our interpretations should rely more on external contextual clues or if they can be grounded in a more fixed understanding of language.

Related terms

Deixis:

Deixis involves words and phrases, like 'here,' 'there,' 'I,' and 'you,' that require contextual information to convey specific meanings.

Pragmatics:

Pragmatics is the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language beyond the literal definitions of words.

Speech Act Theory:

Speech Act Theory examines how utterances can perform various actions (like making requests or giving commands) depending on the context in which they occur.