Contextual accommodation

Definition

Contextual accommodation is the process by which a speaker or listener adjusts their understanding of an utterance based on the surrounding context and shared knowledge, enabling effective communication. This adjustment can involve updating a discourse representation structure to include new information that was not explicitly stated but is necessary for interpreting the meaning of the discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Contextual accommodation allows listeners to make sense of ambiguous or incomplete information in conversation by leveraging shared knowledge and situational cues.
2. In Discourse Representation Theory, contextual accommodation plays a crucial role in updating discourse representation structures when new context is introduced.
3. This process can help resolve presuppositions by integrating necessary background information that may not be explicitly stated in the conversation.
4. Contextual accommodation can occur at various levels, including word meaning, sentence structure, and broader discourse dynamics, reflecting how context shapes interpretation.
5. The ability to accommodate context is essential for successful communication, as it enables participants to align their understanding and navigate ambiguity.

Review Questions

• How does contextual accommodation function within Discourse Representation Theory?
  • Contextual accommodation is vital in Discourse Representation Theory because it allows for the updating of discourse representation structures with new information based on context. When new utterances are introduced, speakers may rely on contextual clues to adjust their understanding and incorporate elements that were not previously represented. This flexibility helps maintain coherence in communication and facilitates meaningful exchanges between speakers.
• What role do presuppositions play in the process of contextual accommodation?
  • Presuppositions influence contextual accommodation by setting background expectations that must be satisfied for an utterance to be interpreted correctly. When a speaker makes a statement with underlying presuppositions, listeners often accommodate these assumptions by adjusting their understanding based on prior knowledge or situational context. This interaction helps ensure that both parties share a common frame of reference during communication, thereby enhancing clarity and comprehension.
• Evaluate the importance of contextual accommodation in resolving ambiguity during conversation.
  • Contextual accommodation is crucial for resolving ambiguity because it enables speakers and listeners to interpret meanings based on shared knowledge and situational cues. By accommodating the context, individuals can clarify unclear references or intentions without needing explicit explanations. This dynamic adjustment enhances communication efficiency and fosters understanding, allowing conversations to flow more smoothly even in the presence of potentially confusing elements.

Related terms

Discourse Representation Theory:

A framework that represents the meaning of sentences in terms of structures that reflect the participants and events in a discourse, allowing for dynamic updates as new information is introduced.

Presupposition:

An implicit assumption about the world or background knowledge that must hold true for an utterance to make sense, often influencing how contextual accommodation occurs.

Reference Resolution: The process of determining what a pronoun or noun phrase refers to in a given context, which often requires contextual accommodation to identify the intended referent.