Text, Context and Intertextuality

The relationship between the terms text, context and contextuality can explicitly be seen by the words themselves. We can see that the word 'text' is embedded within the words 'context' and 'intertextuality'. The text itself will have meaning if it is written under some context physical and cultural conditions - and is related to the other text. Therefore, when we read a text, we also have to consider the interrelated context in which it is written. From the reading, Pope divides the basic senses of text into narrow and broad senses. I am akin with the narrow sense, where the text is a verbal record in that it can be differentiated from unrecorded languages in the form of spontaneous speech and conversation, and from messages in non-verbal code such as painting, photography, architecture and music. Thus, we can say that a text must be a written language. In broad sense, in contrary, the text embraces everything from poems, adverts and films to paintings, photos, shopping malls and whole cityscapes. Here, the definition of text is to general since it defines text as a cultural object produced by people rather than a natural object untouched by human mind or hand. So, in this sense, text is not limited to written language only. Furthermore, text is associated to its context. The relation between text and its context helps us to look through, round and beyond the text. It means that we read the text not without any intention. As mentioned by Pope, context refers to all those physical and cultural conditions whereby a text comes into being. In order to get wider look toward a text, we can relate it with the other text (intertextuality). Thus, we can make a comparison or contrast between two or more texts in order to understand the text and get the right context. In accordance with the text in narrow sense that text is a verbal record and intertextuality relation between one text and another - then, can we relate the text with a nontext code such as paintings, photos or musics? This question refers whether we can relate written language and non-written one in order to get better view and understanding of the text itself. Fransiska Dewi 10 6332 008