Citations:context


 * 1949: S. I. Hayakawa, Language in Thought and Action
 * Interpretation must be based, therefore, on the totality of contexts. If it were otherwise, we should not be able to account for the fact that even if we fail to use the right (customary) words in some situations, people can very frequently understand us. For example:
 * A: Gosh, look at that second baseman go!
 * B (looking): You mean the shortstop?
 * A: Yes, that's what I mean. (p.61-2)
 * It is clear, then, that the ignoring of contexts in any act of interpretation is at best a stupid practice. At its worst, it can be a vicious practice. (p.62)