2/16/2023 0 Comments Coherence vs cohesionVan Dijk (1977:p.93) points out that the notion of coherence can be defined as a semantic property of discourse. They are like the glue which holds different parts of a text together and the only factor in making a text coherent.Ĭoherence is the spirit of the text, it's what makes the text semantically meaningful, and is considered the most significant element in text linguistics. They are necessary in linking the sentences together. Cohesive devices are defined by Salkie (2005:p.9) as those certain words and expressions which any cohesive text should include. It refers to the different cohesive devices that are necessary for any text units to be strongly connected together. Yule (1985:p.140) defines cohesion as the ties and connections which exist within texts. As for Hatim and Munday (2004:p.336), cohesion is the requirement that a sequence of sentences display grammatical and/or lexical relationships which ensure the surface continuity of text structure. In the view of Beaugrande and Dressler (1981:p.55–56), lexical recurrence (repetition) contributes to cohesion. Although cohesion plays a pivotal role in textuality, there must be interaction between cohesion and other standards of textuality to make communication efficient (Abdul-Raof, 2019:p.20). This means that the surface components (words) of the text depend upon each other according to grammatical forms and conventions, i.e., the words are mutually connected within a sequence. For Beaugrande and Dressler (1981:p.3), cohesion depends on grammatical dependencies. Thus, there is grammatical cohesion and lexical cohesion (Abdul-Raof, 2019:p.20). Cohesion is expressed partly through the grammar and partly through the vocabulary. It is the grammatical or lexical relationship that binds different parts of a text together. Cohesion can be measured and verified through rules of grammar and semantics though measuring coherence is rather difficult.For Halliday and Hasan (1976:p.4–5), cohesion is a semantic relation and is defined as the relations of meaning that exist within the text and that define it as a text.Coherence is a property decided by the reader whereas cohesion is a property of the text achieved by the writer making use of different tools like synonyms, verb tenses, time references etc.A cohesive text can appear as incoherent to the reader making it clear that the two properties of a text are not the same.If a text appears to make sense to a reader, it is said to be coherent.If different sentences in a text are linked properly, it is said to be cohesive.What is the difference between Cohesion and Coherence? Rather than the text appearing linked together perfectly, it is the overall impression of the text that appears to be smooth and clear. If the readers can follow and understand a text easily, it obviously has coherence. When the text begins to make sense on the whole, it is said to be coherent. We find a person incoherent if he is under the influence of alcohol and not able to speak out in terms of meaningful sentences. Cohesion can be thought of as glue sticking different parts of furniture so that it takes the shape the writer wants it to give.Ĭoherence is a quality of a piece of text that makes it meaningful in the minds of the readers. Establishing connections between sentences, sections, and even paragraphs using synonyms, verb tenses, time references etc. In short, the links that stick different sentences and make the text meaningful can be thought of as cohesion in the text. This can also be done with the last few words in a sentence setting up the next few words at the start of the next sentence. For a writer, it is better to start with text that the reader is already familiar with to make a piece cohesive. It is difficult to define cohesion but one can visualize it as small sentences adding up to make for a meaningful text as is the case with many different pieces fitting together to make for a jigsaw puzzle. However, this is not the case, and there are subtle differences despite similarities that will be talked about in this article.Īll language tools, which are used to provide links and help in connecting one part of the sentence, are important in achieving cohesion in the text. There are many who think that cohesion and coherence are synonyms and can be used interchangeably. It is not just the awareness of these qualities but also their use in a text that makes for an important skill for students learning a language. Cohesion and coherence are linguistic qualities that are desirable in a text and as such considered important for all students trying to master a language.
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