Can sentences or words that express statements or questions by any means be accepted as a text? Must a text be informative and well-intended to its recipients to be valued as textual, or does it solely need to be meaningful and suitable for the context? Furthermore, what exactly does the word ‘text’ or ‘textual’ even mean? Although one may have an intuitive understanding of what a text is, it can be necessary to establish a clear distinction between a text and a non-text. The understanding of what makes a text a text is particularly interesting, not only for translators, interpreters or linguists, to mention only a few, but also for anyone who aims to produce comprehensible texts. The knowledge helps to produce texts, where clear references of textuality can be made visible.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 What is meant by the terms text and textuality?
3 Key Criteria for Text
3.1 Cohesion
3.2 Coherence
3.3 Informativity
3.4 Intentionality
3.5 Acceptability
3.6 Situationality
3.7 Intertextuality
4 Conclusion
Objective and Thematic Focus
This paper aims to define the concept of textuality by examining the seven key criteria established by Beaugrande and Dressler. By analyzing a speech from Emma Watson, the work explores how these linguistic and pragmatic standards ensure that a sequence of sentences functions as a coherent, meaningful text rather than a random collection of words.
- Theoretical definitions of text and textuality.
- Detailed analysis of the seven standards of textuality.
- Linguistic mechanisms of cohesion and coherence.
- The role of user-centered factors like situationality and intertextuality.
- Application of theory to a contemporary sample text.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Cohesion
The first criterion to be examined is called cohesion. Cohesion plays a central role in text linguistics as it serves to present a text as a comprehensible unit. It refers to the way in which words, sentences, and phrases are linked to each other to build a structured and meaningful text that flows logically and holds the whole text together. This also appears in the Latin original meaning of “cohesion” (cohaerere) which stands for “cling or stick together”. 4 The following devices to structure cohesive relationships in a text exist: repetition, reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction, and lexical cohesion. The first one, repetition, means a similar or identical word, phrase, or clause is repeated once or a couple of times. The words “gender” and “equality” are mentioned seven times in the example text, and the word “feminism” three times.
The second device, reference, can include personal references (not exclusively referring to a person) for example referred to as “they”, “my”, “this”, “then”, “same”, “similar” or "otherwise”. Several elements can be found in the following section of the text: “This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible.” These words show that Watson is referring to preceding parts of the speech. It would not be clear what campaign (HeForShe) she is mentioning and why she is trying to galvanize men and boys to be advocates for gender equality: “because I need your help”.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the research interest regarding textuality and outlines the methodology of analyzing Emma Watson's speech.
2 What is meant by the terms text and textuality?: Examines the etymological roots and dictionary definitions of the term "text" to establish a basic understanding of text theory.
3 Key Criteria for Text: Detailed analysis of the seven standards of textuality, specifically Cohesion, Coherence, Informativity, Intentionality, Acceptability, Situationality, and Intertextuality.
4 Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, highlighting the interdependence of the seven standards and the complexity of distinguishing a text from a non-text.
Keywords
Textuality, Cohesion, Coherence, Informativity, Intentionality, Acceptability, Situationality, Intertextuality, Text Linguistics, Emma Watson, Gender Equality, Communication, Language Analysis, Text Theory, Semiotics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of this assignment?
The paper seeks to identify and define the specific criteria that transform a simple sequence of words into a functional, communicative text.
Which theoretical framework does the author use?
The assignment relies on the foundational approach of R.-A. de Beaugrande and W. U. Dressler, who identified seven essential standards of textuality.
Why was Emma Watson's speech chosen as an example?
The speech "Gender equality is your issue too" serves as a practical, real-world case study to illustrate how the seven standards of textuality function in a professional, public discourse.
What is the difference between cohesion and coherence?
Cohesion refers to the grammatical and lexical linkages on the surface of the text, while coherence concerns the logical organization of concepts and the overall "sense" of the text.
Are all seven criteria required for a text to be valid?
While the author discusses the seven standards, they conclude that it is not strictly necessary for every text to fulfill all seven perfectly to be considered communicative; some subjectivity remains in how receivers interpret a text.
What is the role of intertextuality in this study?
Intertextuality demonstrates how the text connects to prior knowledge and other previously produced works, such as the references to Hillary Clinton or Edmund Burke in Watson’s speech.
How does the author define the etymological origin of the word "text"?
The term derives from the Latin "textus," meaning tissue, which stems from "texere," meaning to weave, implying that a text is a composition of words woven together.
How is the "Situationality" of a text determined?
Situationality defines the relevance of a text within a specific context; the author uses the example of a traffic sign to show how a text must fit its environment to be fully functional.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2020, What makes a text a text? Criteria for text functionality, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/937932
