Text Properties: Coherence, Cohesion, Adequacy, and Correctness

1. Coherence

Coherence is a semantic property of discourse, based on the interpretation of sentences. It involves selecting and organizing information that aligns with the text's meaning, ensuring the receiver clearly perceives the message. The meaning of a text is derived from the sum of the sentences that constitute it. These relationships form the "microstructure" or local structure, which is superimposed by a "macrostructure" or general structure formed for each sub-topic or block of meaning within the text.

• Local coherence manifests in the sentences that constitute the text.
• Linear coherence allows for the relationship between phrases and sentences that correspond to the same idea.
• Global coherence is determined by the overall semantic content of the text.

2. Cohesion

Sentences and paragraphs within a text are not isolated but are linked by connectors, punctuation, and other elements. This is referred to as cohesion. Cohesion mechanisms include:

2.1. Anaphora

Anaphora is the reference to or repetition of the same element in successive sentences. Various methods exist to avoid repetition:

• Lexical replacement by synonyms
• Pronominal replacement: A linguistic element is replaced by another.
• Lexical: These are words whose broad meaning allows them to be used in many contexts.
• Grammatical pronouns
• Proadverbials
• Ellipsis: Removal of easily recognizable elements.

2.2. Connecting Elements

Words and sentences are related to each other via links, text markers, or connectors. These can be:

• Specialized in linking phrases and words. Words with this feature include adverbs and grammatical links that contextualize what will be said in relation to what was previously stated.

2.3. Intonation

In spoken language, intonation is a crucial element of cohesion. It indicates whether a statement is complete, if it is a question, etc. It also conveys various nuances that affect meaning and can emphasize certain words.

2.4. Punctuation

Conventional signs are used to represent aspects of intonation.

2.5. Temporal Relationships

Verbs place events in chronological order and must be logically correlated throughout the text.

2.6. Paralinguistic Mechanisms

Non-verbal elements can contribute to the meaning of a text.

• In spoken language: These are the gestures that accompany utterances and sometimes replace them. For example, spinning a finger can mean "continue," while a hand gesture can mean "wait" or "end."
• In written language: Text layout (margins, columns, schemas), typography, and punctuation contribute to textual cohesion.

3. Adequacy

Adequacy is the text property that determines the appropriate register and style. Being appropriate means choosing the best linguistic solutions for each communicative situation. It is the result of selecting expressive codes, both linguistic and non-linguistic, based on the communicative context (situation, context, interlocutor). This context compels the speaker or writer to express themselves in a certain way to be a competent communicator. Each communicative situation has its own interaction patterns. Knowing how to act in a situation is called "pragmatic communicative competence": the ability to say the right thing at the right time in a suitable manner.

To determine if a text is appropriate, consider these aspects:

• Does it achieve its communicative purpose?
• Is the personal treatment (e.g., you, formal you) correct and consistent throughout the text?
• Is the same level of formality (technical terms, standard words, etc.) maintained throughout the text?
• Is the same degree of specificity (technical, literary, colloquial, etc.) maintained throughout the text?

4. Correctness

The concrete realization of a text is subject to rules that must be known. It concerns phonic or graphic, grammatical, and lexical aspects of language, and its function is to standardize verbal productions. In spoken language, correctness primarily focuses on the register used. While phonetics and morphosyntax may have some flexibility in certain linguistic domains, speech intelligibility must always be maintained.