What is Context?

 

The word 'context' comes from the root words con means together and texere means to weave. So, joining both, we get weaving together. The context means a background or a setting which is attached to the actual information that one intends to give. When someone says, "I am busy today.", it means the main information is: I am busy, and the context is: today.

As a context is the environment or setting in which something exists or happens, this means by adding context to our information, we intend to convey that what we are speaking is true for the given context. Hence, a text should be understood in a context.

More specifically, a context is the place or the time of an event. 

- People of various religions live in India. (the text is: People of various religions live, and the context is: in India. Here, 'in India' shows the place of the event.)

- India got freedom in 1947. (the text is: India got freedom, and the context is: in 1947. Here, 'in 1947' shows the time of the event.)

- Covid has killed many people in India in 2020 and 2021. (the text is: Covid has killed many people, and the contexts are: in India' and 'in 2020 and 2021. Here, 'in India' shows the place of the event whereas, 'in 2020 and 2021' shows the time of the event.)

When we give emphasis on the context rather than the text, we place context in the beginning of a sentence. 

Examples: 

- In India, people of various religions live. 

- In 1947, India got freedom.