Stool?

"Words and utterances can have different meanings and functions in different contexts" (Kuma, 210). As I was reading through this weeks chapters, I was able to make some personal connections with the content. Although I am a native English speaker, I sometimes still have difficulty with words if they are not given in a specific context or situation. The problem could be that in the English language some words can have more than one meaning. For instance, on page 205, Kuma gives five different ways the word, "table" could be used. If I was asked about the word table, I would probably define the word similar to the usage in sentence 1, "a flat surface usually supported by four legs" (Kuma, 205). Since the word was not given in a certain context or situation, I would not think that the word could also refer to a math term or even a verb. Thus, I think Kuma brings up an excellent point that situational context is just as important to consider as linguistic and extralinguistic contexts when teaching students about a language. Not only do students need to understand words and/or phrases and deliverance, but they also need to have an understanding of when these words/phrases are appropriate. Without this extra knowledge, students, especially non-native speakers, may be unsure when to use a phrase or confused if someone uses the word in a specific context or situation with which they are not familiar. Actually, I can relate to a time when I came across a word that could have two separate meanings, and if the word is used in the wrong context one can become confused. This past weekend I was playing the game Catch Phrase with my family. For those who are unfamiliar with the game, you can pick a category (i.e. family, around the house, technology, food/drink, etc.), and then you are given a word(s)/phrase that would fall under that category. The goal is to describe the word/phrase to your teammates without using the word and they have to guess the word. The category was "Around the House" and my specific word was "stool." Immediately, I became very confused and wondered why the game would put this word under this category. I was confused because I was thinking of stool in reference to fecal matter, not an object you may use to stand on to reach items that are too high. After I thought about the word some more and remembered the category was "Around the House," I realized the word was supposed to refer to an object you use to stand on, not fecal matter. Of course, after I came to this realization, I could not help but laugh at my own misunderstanding of the word and its context.


Overall, in the future, I will be sure to remember to teach my students not only the linguistic and extralinguistic components of a word, but also include the situational context of the word. After all, the situational context can be very helpful and avoid any confusion.