THE OMNIFICENCE OF CONTEXT IN LINGUISTICS AND LITERATURE

Abstract

t
Every instance of language use is context-bound so that hardly can
meaning be accounted for without making recourse to the
background where the language is used. This paper examines the
role of context in language and literature. With insights from
Halliday, Short, and Hymes, the study explores how context could
be a strong factor in accounting for the multi-valuable nature of
language use. The important role of context in language use is
explored and it is concluded that context is useful not only in
pragmatics, but also in semantics and grammar. Any account of
language use should, therefore, take cognizance of the context if a
proper reckoning is to be done. Not accounting for it will not only
make the submission inadequate, but also defective.