Philosophy Pragmatics Questions Medium
In pragmatics, context dependence refers to the idea that the meaning of an utterance is influenced by the surrounding context in which it is used. It recognizes that language is not solely determined by the words themselves, but also by the situational, social, and cultural factors that shape communication.
Context can be divided into two main types: linguistic context and extralinguistic context. Linguistic context includes the words and phrases that precede and follow the utterance, as well as the grammatical and syntactical structures used. Extralinguistic context, on the other hand, encompasses the physical environment, the participants involved, their shared knowledge, beliefs, and social roles, as well as the purpose and intentions behind the communication.
The concept of context dependence highlights that the meaning of an utterance is not fixed or absolute, but rather negotiated and interpreted by the participants in a conversation. It recognizes that words and sentences can have multiple meanings or interpretations, and it is the context that helps determine the intended meaning.
For example, the simple sentence "It's cold in here" can have different meanings depending on the context. If someone says it while shivering and wearing a jacket, it is likely a request to turn up the heat. However, if it is said while standing in a refrigerated room, it may simply be an observation. The meaning of the sentence is context-dependent and cannot be fully understood without considering the surrounding circumstances.
Context dependence also explains how implicatures and indirect speech acts work. Implicatures are inferences that go beyond the literal meaning of an utterance, and they rely on the context to be understood. For instance, if someone says, "I have a lot of work to do," the implicature may be that they are too busy to engage in a particular activity. Indirect speech acts involve using language to convey meaning indirectly, such as making a request through a question. The intended meaning of these acts is again context-dependent and requires the participants to infer the speaker's intention.
In conclusion, context dependence is a fundamental concept in pragmatics that recognizes the influence of the surrounding context on the meaning of an utterance. It emphasizes that language is not solely determined by words, but also by the situational, social, and cultural factors that shape communication. Understanding context is crucial for effective communication and interpretation of meaning.