This document discusses context and co-text in language. It defines context as the circumstances and audience that influence the meaning communicated by a speaker or writer. It also discusses reference as using linguistic forms like pronouns or definite articles to identify something, and how reference relies on shared knowledge between the speaker and listener. Finally, it explains how inference, collaboration between communicators, and pragmatic connections within a sociocultural community are necessary to understand references in context.

1. Context and Co-text

2. Definition of Contextual Meaning
• “The study of contextual meaning
communicated by a speaker or writer, and
interpreted by a listener or reader,” George
Yule
• The importance of Context: the circumstances
and the audience or public.

4. Reference
• Reference: an act in which a speaker or writer
uses linguistic forms to enable a listener or
reade to identify something.
• Referring Expressions: the linguistic forms,
such as proper nouns, definite and indefinite
article, and pronouns.

5. Examples
Look at him (use of pronoun)
The woman in red (use of definite article)
Reference is tied to speaker’s belief about the
listener’s knowledge in the use of language.

6. Inference, Collaboration, and
Pragmatic Connection
• Inference: a conclusion reached on the basis
of evidence and reasoning.
• Collaboration or shared knowledge, is
necessary for us to infer a sentence.
• Pragmatic Connection: an association
between famous names and kind of object
within a socio-culturally defined community..

7. Example
Can I borrow your Shakespeare?
Picasso’s on the far wall
Did you bring my Rolling Stones?

8. Context and Co-Text

9. Example
Brazil won the World Cup.
Your ten-thirty just cancelled.
The heart-attack must not be moved.
A couple of rooms have complained about the
noise.