Context of Situation : the environment of the text

we run                           front wood         ourselves  

we paddle                      in place;              we turn we see

companion ours;             he runs               rear-wood

behind                           their sea-arm     Pilolu

“Instead of translating, of inserting simply an English word for a native one, we are faced by a long and not altogether simple process of describing wide fields of custom, of special psychology and of tribal organisation which correspond to one term or another. We see that linguistic analysis inevitably leads us into the study of all subjects covered by Ethnographic field-work.”

(Malinowski,301-2)

Malinowski claims that the central character of languages is as ‘a mode of action and not an instrument of reflection’. This view emphasises the role of language in ‘practical action’ and as a ‘link in concerted human activity, as a piece of human behaviour’. (Ogden&Richards,1949)

“He understood that a text written by these people into this language could not be understood by any foreigners or by people living outside this society even if translated into their own languages because each message brought more meanings than those expressed through the words, meanings that could only be understood if accompanied by the situation. Thus, Malinowski introduced the notion of context of situation, meaning by this the "environment of the text" [Halliday;1989;6]

“ Knowledge is transmitted in social contexts, through relationships, like those of parent and child, or teacher and pupil, or classmates, that are defined in the value systems and ideology of the culture. And the words that are exchanged in these contexts get their meaning from activities in which they are embedded, which again are social activities with social agencies and goals.” (M.A.K Halliday;1989:)

Significant Contexts : the activities and goals around which the community is organized, the behaviour of the community.

Context of Culture is very important also because it is not the immediate sights that is important but also the whole cultural history behind the text and determining the significance for the cultutre. Knowing where, when the text is set will help to understand the text more.

J.R. Firth

1) the Participants in the situation 2) the Action of the participants
3) other Relevant Features of the situation  4) the Effects of the verbal action

The three features of the context of situation

THE FIELD OF DISCOURSE : Refers to what is happening, to the nature of the social action that is taking place.

THE TENOR OF DISCOURSE : Refers to who is taking part, to the nature of the participants, their statuses and roles.

THE MODE OF DISCOURSE : Refers to what part the language is playing, what is that the participants are expecting the language to do for them in that situation.

Make a situational description according to the 3 features of the context of situation.

“There are many children in Turkey who will be beaten tonight.”