Text Studies

The first course in text studies is an introduction into major terms and concepts that students will face in thier journey.

Introduction to the Study of Texts
Definitions: Since the emergence of text linguistics as a field of study that refers to the study of text as a product (text grammar) or as a process (theory of text), many researchers indulged themselves in a meaningful inquiry to grasp the essence of the word “TEXT”. Among the founded definitions we mention:
“In a general understanding, text is defined as a contextually coherent sequence of several
phrases” (Glück & Rödel, 2016, p. 707). “the word text is used in linguistics to refer to any passage, spoken or written, of whatever length,
that does form a unified whole” (Halliday & Hasan, 1976, p. 1)
“A text is a passage of discourse which is coherent in these two regards: it is coherent with respect
to the context of situation, and therefore consistent in register; and it is coherent with respect to
itself, and therefore cohesive.”

Based on the above, it is deducible that a text is the manifestation of a written or spoken utterances characterized with specific characteristics that form one understandable unit designated for communication, analysis and interpretation.

Key Criteria for Textuality: Criteria for textuality refers to the characteristics that defines a text. Beaugrande & Dressler (1981) presented seven standards of textuality to be considered:
1. Cohesion

2. Coherence

3. Intentionality and acceptability 

4. Informativity

5. Contextuality

6. Intertextuality

Regulative Principles of Textual Communication
1. Efficiency

2. Effectiveness

3. Appropriateness