Unit II.Cohesion in the text

Key words:patterns, interrelationships, cohesion, constituent, network, reference, surface relation, presuppose, a semantic unit, continuity, omission, substitution, interlocutor, predictions, expectations, transitions.

Each language has its own patterns to convey the interrelationships of persons and events; in no language these patterns be ignored. The topic of the cohesion (connection) has always appeared to be the most useful constituent of discourse analysis or text grammar.

Cohesion is the network of lexical, grammatical or other relations which link various parts of a text. These relations or ties organize and, to some extent, create a text, for instance, by requiring the reader to interpret words and expressions by reference to other words and expressions in the surrounding paragraphs and sentences. Cohesion is a surface relation and it connects together the actual words and expressions that we can see or hear.

Cohesion occurs where the interpretation of some element in the text is dependent on that of another. The one presupposes the other, in the sense that it cannot be effectively decoded except by recourse to it.

Cohesion holds segments of a text together, making it a semantic unit. The importance of cohesion lies in the continuity it expresses between one part of the text and another. This continuity is necessary for the interpretation of the text.

Cohesion also creates the characteristic “feel” of a text. The continuity expressed by cohesion not only makes a text comprehensible, it also provides it with its affective power.

Cohesion also enables the reader to supply all the missing items necessary for the comprehension of a text. In texts, especially in spoken texts, there are generally a lot of omissions and substitutions. This is because the interlocutors are in a direct, face-to-face interaction, and their mutual understanding is made easier by their facial expressions, gestures, and other linguistic and nonlinguistic contexts. But in reading the reader cannot appeal to the writer for the clarification of meaning. It is therefore necessary for him to supply the missing items himself. Cohesion also provides the basis for making predictions and building expectations. The continuity expressed by cohesion constitutes the context that provides the basis for making predictions and building expectations in reading.

All sentences in the text are connected to each other by means of transitions. Transitions are connective words, phrases, or sentences that show the relationship between ideas. They are cues that help the reader understand ideas. Transitions are invaluable because they clarify the content of a written work by showing relationships between ideas. To achieve unity between the sentences within paragraphs and between paragraphs themselves transitions should be used.

Transitions can have different meaning. They show:

• Addition(also, and then, too, in addition, furthermore, moreover, equally important, another, first, second, third, etc.);

• time sequence (now, then, before, after, afterward, earlier, later, immediately, soon, next, meanwhile, gradually, suddenly, finally, previously, before, next, often, eventually);

• spatial arrangement (near, near to, nearly, far, far from, beside, in front of, next to, beyond, above, below, to the right, to the left, around, surrounding, on one side, inside, outside, across, opposite to, far off, behind alongside, there);

• comparison (in the same way, similarly, just like, just as, in like manner, likewise);

• contrast (still, however, on the other hand, on the contrary, nevertheless, despite, in spite of);

• cause and effect (because, since, consequently, hence, as a result, therefore, thus, because of this);

• purpose (for this purpose, so that this may occur, in order to);

• emphasis (indeed, in fact, surely, undoubtedly, without a doubt, certainly, truly, to be sure, I am certain);

• illustration (for example, for instance, as an illustration, specifically, to be specific, in particular);

• summary or clarification (in summary, in conclusion, as I have shown, in brief, in short, in other words, all in all, that is);

• admitting a point (although, while this may be true, granted, even though, while it is true that).

There are some other coherent ties between sentences. These ties are reference, substitution, ellipsis, conjunction and lexical cohesion.They are extended to include tense-aspect, modality, parallel structures, temporal adverbials and other devices.

PRACTICE

Exercise1.Think over the following statements and say whether they are right or wrong:

• The topic of the cohesion has never been the most useful constituent of discourse analysis or text grammar.

• Cohesion is the network of lexical, grammatical or other relations which link various parts of a text.

• Cohesion refers to the inner relations of the text.

• Cohesion doesn’t take part in holding segments of the text together.

• Cohesion is not necessary for text comprehension.

• Cohesion enables the reader to supply all the missing items necessary for the comprehension of a text.

• In texts there are generally a lot of omissions and substitutions.

• Cohesion provides the basis for making predictions and building expectations.

• Transitions are expressed only by single words.

• Transitions are very important because they clarify the content of a written work by showing relationships between ideas.

Exercise 2.Organize these words under the headings.

Consequently, moreover, so, also, formerly, meanwhile, too, subsequently, on the other hand, alternatively, eventually, thus, therefore, furthermore, even so, nevertheless

Contrast	Result	Extra information	Sequencing in time
………………. ………………. ………………..	…………..…. ……………… ……………….	…………..…. ……………… ……………….	…………..…. ……………… ……………….

Exercise 3.Link the statements in column B with those in column A.

A.	B.
Heathrow is Europe’s most modern airport.	furthermore, it may be addictive
I would like to spend more time with my family	however, it is severely ingested
The drug has powerful side effects	moreover, competition in the US and Europe is increasing.
The weak demand for our products in the domestic market and in Asia hitus harder than we expected.	on the other hand, it did give me first-hand experience of factory work.
She’s been under a lot of pressure retire as chairman.	I have therefore decided torecently
I didn’t enjoy the time I spent on the production line.	as a result, she’s decided to take time off to relax a little

Exercise 4.