CONTEXT AND MEANING IN EDO FOLK SONGS

ABSTRACT

Meaning and context are a closely related topic or case to study, surprisingly both this topic can't sadly do without each other in EDO language system. As context (environment where a phrase or word is used) determines the meaning or idea of a sentence or statement. The current work is undertaken to account for the Contextual meanings that are in selected EDO songs. The motivation for this study arises from the need to show how contextual meanings can be expressed using songs that are cultural philosophical and concern with realities in the society. This main concern of this work is expressed and contained in songs.Context is the background of meanings, attitudes, and experiences, both of the speaker and the listener, that frames the interpretation of linguistic expressions.” – Levinson, Stephen C. Pragmatics. Cambridge University Press, 1983. “Meaning is the social and communicative function of language, which involves the use of linguistic signs to convey ideas and attitudes between speakers and listeners.” – Levinson, Stephen C. Pragmatics. Cambridge University Press, 1983. This work would be showing us how contexts play with the meaning or the idea a sentential expression, making it that not same meaning applies when used in another context.