Explanation

Definition

An explanation is a statement or set of statements that clarifies how or why something occurs or is the case, often detailing the reasoning or processes behind a phenomenon. In the context of extending DRT to SDRT and other developments, explanations are critical for understanding how different discourse elements relate and contribute to meaning within conversations and texts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Explanations in discourse help to establish coherence by linking ideas and clarifying relationships between different segments.
2. SDRT (Segmented Discourse Representation Theory) expands on DRT by providing tools to analyze how explanations function within segments of discourse.
3. Explanations can vary significantly in complexity, from simple clarifications to in-depth analyses that require background knowledge.
4. The effectiveness of an explanation often depends on its relevance to the preceding discourse and how well it connects to the audience's existing knowledge.
5. Understanding explanations is crucial for grasping implied meanings and navigating ambiguous contexts in both written and spoken language.

Review Questions

• How do explanations contribute to coherence in discourse according to SDRT?
  • Explanations contribute to coherence in discourse by clarifying relationships between different segments, helping listeners or readers understand how ideas are connected. In SDRT, these connections are analyzed through the framework that segments discourse into manageable parts, allowing for easier integration of new information. This framework emphasizes how explanations can link prior knowledge with new insights, making discourse more comprehensible.
• In what ways does segmentation enhance our understanding of explanations in discourse representation?
  • Segmentation enhances our understanding of explanations by breaking down discourse into smaller parts that can be analyzed individually. This allows for a clearer examination of how each segment functions and relates to others, especially when providing explanations. By analyzing these segments, we can see how explanations serve as bridges connecting different ideas, thereby improving overall comprehension and coherence within the discourse.
• Evaluate the role of pragmatics in shaping our understanding of explanations within different contexts of discourse.
  • Pragmatics plays a vital role in shaping our understanding of explanations by emphasizing how context influences meaning beyond just words. Different contexts can alter how an explanation is interpreted; what makes sense in one situation may be unclear in another. This contextual variability highlights the importance of background knowledge and conversational norms, which affect how effectively explanations communicate their intended messages, illustrating the complex interplay between language and understanding.

Related terms

Discourse Representation Theory (DRT):

A theory that models the interpretation of sentences in context by representing the information conveyed in a structured way, allowing for updates as new information is introduced.

Segmentation: The process of dividing discourse into segments that can be independently analyzed for coherence and meaning, which aids in understanding how explanations function within discourse.

Pragmatics:

The branch of linguistics that studies how context influences the interpretation of meaning beyond the literal definitions of words, including how explanations shape understanding in communication.