This work deals with the seven key criteria for textuality as developed by de Beaugrande and Dressler.
The key criteria for textuality, which were developed by de Beaugrande and Dressler in 1981, encompass: Cohesion, coherence, intentionality, acceptability, informativity, situationality and intertextuality.
To develop an understanding of this matter is of importance for anyone who is working in the field of text production. As examples may serve the professions of journalists, authors, translators, teachers and many more. A thorough understanding of the criteria for textuality will bring with it an expanded capacity of producing, analyzing and understanding texts.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction and Content
2 General Definitions
2.1 Text
2.2 Textuality
3 Key Criteria for Textuality
3.1 Cohesion
3.2 Coherence
3.3 Intentionality
3.4 Acceptability
3.5 Informativity
3.6 Situationality
3.7 Intertextuality
4 Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper aims to explore the linguistic foundations of what constitutes a "text" by analyzing the seven key criteria of textuality. It investigates why a comprehensive definition remains elusive and how these criteria contribute to the communicative quality of linguistic utterances, using Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech as a practical case study.
- The theoretical definition of "text" and "textuality".
- An in-depth analysis of the seven standards of textuality (Cohesion, Coherence, Intentionality, Acceptability, Informativity, Situationality, Intertextuality).
- The role of situational context in text interpretation.
- Practical application of linguistic theory to historical rhetoric.
- The evolution of text definitions in the digital age.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Cohesion
Cohesion occurs where the interpretation of some element in the discourse is dependent on that of another (Halliday & Hasan 1976: 4). That means that one element cannot be effectively decoded except by recourse to the other element. One element thus presupposes the other and the cohesion lies in the relation that is set up between the two (Halliday & Hasan 1976: 4). This also shows in the Latin original meaning of “cohesion” (cohaerere) which stands for “to stick together” or “to be connected” (de Beaugrande & Dressler 1981: 50).
To connect different occurrences in text, the most obvious illustration in use is the language system of syntax. It imposes organizational patterns upon the surface text (de Beaugrande & Dressler 1981: 48). Referring to Keele (1973) and Loftus and Loftus (1976) Syntax is necessary, as the human mind is rather limited in its capacity to store surface materials long enough to work on them and therefore needs to organize them, for example, into sentences (de Beaugrande & Dressler 1981: 48).
In closely connected units such as phrases, part-sentences and sentences cohesion is maintained by inserting these elements into grammatical dependencies. In longer texts, it must be determined how the elements and patterns used before can be re-used, modified or put together in a different way (de Beaugrande & Dressler 1981: 54). Thus, cohesion serves to present a text as a comprehensible unit.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction and Content: Discusses the difficulty of defining "text" and highlights the importance of text linguistics for various professions.
2 General Definitions: Examines the linguistic and historical interpretations of "text" and "textuality" as foundational concepts.
3 Key Criteria for Textuality: Provides a detailed analysis of the seven standards—Cohesion, Coherence, Intentionality, Acceptability, Informativity, Situationality, and Intertextuality—using practical examples.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings and addresses how evolving communication forms, such as internet slang, challenge traditional definitions of textuality.
Keywords
Text linguistics, Textuality, Cohesion, Coherence, Intentionality, Acceptability, Informativity, Situationality, Intertextuality, Martin Luther King Jr., Communication, Syntax, Discourse, Language theory, Communicative occurrence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the criteria that define a "text" and explores how these standards create communicative quality in language.
Which theoretical framework serves as the basis for this study?
The research primarily utilizes the seven standards of textuality as defined by de Beaugrande and Dressler (1981).
What is the main research question?
The work addresses the question of what distinguishes a coherent text from a mere compilation of unrelated sentences.
Which methodology is applied to explain the concepts?
The author uses a literature-based approach combined with practical illustrations from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.
What topics are covered in the main section of the book?
The main section systematically details the seven criteria: cohesion, coherence, intentionality, acceptability, informativity, situationality, and intertextuality.
Which terms are most relevant to understanding the work?
Key terms include text, textuality, communicative occurrence, and the seven specific standards of textuality.
How does the author define "coherence" in relation to a text?
Coherence is presented as the continuity of senses and the decisive factor for the reception of content as a meaningful text.
How does the speech by Martin Luther King Jr. demonstrate "intertextuality"?
The speech exemplifies intertextuality by referencing the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bible, creating deeper resonance with the audience's existing cultural knowledge.
- Citar trabajo
- Karin Sterz (Autor), 2018, What Makes a Text a Text? A Survey of the Criteria for Text Functionality, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/470707
