The question of discourse representation 103(10) a. The contextual level
b. The interpersonal level
c. The representational level
d. The expression level
As will be immediately apparent, we are here honouring the distinction
between the discourse itself and the context in which it is situated. This de-
cision is to some extent motivated by Dik's distinction between discourse
proper and discourse event. It will be recalled that the phenomena which
Dik includes in the analysis of the discourse event are: who the interlocu-
tors are, how they relate to one another, where, when and in what
circumstances they are communicating, and what social conventions are in
force. These considerations are all matters of context, and therefore if we
are to accommodate them, we need to recognize a contextual level of de-
scription. The contextual level is not actually part of language itself, but is
intended to be seen as a component of the description of discourse.
It may be noted that the idea of a contextual level has echoes in other
frameworks besides FDG. For example, Hasan (1999: 224), writing within
the framework of Systemic Functional Grammar, proposes that in describ-
ing language we should recognize four strata: context, semantics, lexico-
grammar and phonology. Moreover, Stamper (1997), in his discussion of
applied semiotics, puts forward a six-level model in which the social world
is recognized as a stratum which encompasses much of the context in
which human communication takes place; see further Connolly (2000).
In fact, the contextual level turns out to be very useful, as it provides a
natural home for a number of factors that need to be accommodated within
a full account of discourse. These include (where relevant):
(11) a. The identity of the participants, their attitudes, statuses and back-
grounds;
b. Any other sources of voices which blend into the discourse;
c. Bystanders;
d. The non-linguistic properties of the medium or media of communica-
tion employed;
e. The non-verbal communication;
f. The time and place;
g. The setting;
h. The prevailing cultural, social and institutional conventions governing
communication;
i. The referents of terms used in the discourse;
j. The pre- and postconditions and outcomes of particular discourse acts.