REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

UNIVERSIDAD DE PANAMÁ
EXTENSION UNIVERSITARIA DE AGUADULCE
POST ACADEMIC STUDY - DIPLOMADO 2024
GENERAL PERSPECTIVE OF LINGUISTICS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ENGLISH LINGUISTICS – MODULO # 3 ACTIVITY # 3 WEEK # 3
PARTICIPANT’S NAME:___________________________ DATE: AUGUST 05th TO 09th 2024

I.D. _______________________ 100 PTS AVERAGE: ______ GRADE:_______

FACILITATOR: OMAR ALEXIS PINZÓN FERNÁNDEZ M.A.

READING ANALYSIS: TEAMWORK:

Modulo # 3 : CONTEXTUAL PERSPECTIVE

Contextual Perspective posits that an individual's understanding, actions, and identity are
inextricably linked to their environment. It's a theory that views human development as a
dynamic interplay between personal attributes and the multifaceted contexts in which they
exist.
CORE PRINCIPLES
1. Embeddedness: Individuals are embedded within layers of interconnected systems, from
the micro (family, peers) to the macro (culture, society). These systems influence and are
influenced by the individual.
2. Dynamic Interaction: The relationship between individuals and their context is reciprocal
and constantly evolving. Changes in one system can ripple through others, impacting
personal growth and development.
3. Holistic Perspective: Human development is understood as a whole, encompassing
biological, psychological, and social factors. These elements are interconnected and mutually
influential.
4. Cultural and Historical Influences: Contextual perspective recognizes the significance of
cultural and historical factors in shaping individual experiences and worldviews.
5. Lifespan Development: Growth and change occur throughout the lifespan, shaped by
ongoing interactions between the individual and their environment.
Implications
● Education: Learning is optimized when it is situated within relevant and meaningful
contexts.
● Psychology: Behavior and mental health are understood in relation to social, cultural, and
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environmental factors.
● Sociology: Social structures and institutions are seen as shaping and being shaped by
individual actions.
● Policy Making: Policies should consider the diverse contexts of individuals and
communities
to achieve equitable outcomes.
Example
Imagine a child growing up in an impoverished urban neighborhood. Their development is
influenced by factors such as family structure, access to education, exposure to violence, and
community resources. These factors interact in complex ways to shape the child's cognitive,
emotional, and social growth.
This theory offers a comprehensive framework for understanding human behavior and
development by emphasizing the intricate relationship between individuals and their
environment.

In this MODULE # 3 ACTIVITY # 3 we have focused on the following points:

What is contextual perspective in English?

 Contextual perspective refers to understanding the meaning of a word or phrase based

on the surrounding text, situation, or speaker's intent. It's about considering the context
to decipher the true meaning.

How do context clues help with understanding?

 Context clues are hints within the text that help you figure out the meaning of an
unfamiliar word. These clues can be synonyms, antonyms, definitions, examples, or
the overall situation described.

I saw a sign that said "wet paint." Does it mean the paint is crying?

 No, using contextual perspective, we understand "wet" refers to the physical state of
the paint, not its emotional state. The sign is a warning to avoid touching the paint.

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The article talks about the prolific writer releasing her tenth novel. Does prolific mean
boring?

 No, likely not. Prolific means producing a lot of work in a particular area. In this context,
it describes a writer who publishes frequently.

If someone says they are feeling under the weather, are they literally under the
weather?

 No, using context, we understand "under the weather" is an idiom that means they are
not feeling well, possibly sick.

What is the difference between literal and figurative language?

 Literal language means words are used in their exact dictionary definition. Figurative
language uses words in a non-literal way for creative effect, such as metaphors,
similes, and personification.

Why is sarcasm sometimes confusing?

 Sarcasm is a form of figurative language where the opposite of what is said is meant.
Without context or understanding tone, sarcasm can be misinterpreted.

How can cultural context affect meaning?

 Cultural context refers to the shared beliefs, values, and experiences of a particular
group. A phrase or symbol might have a different meaning in one culture than another.

Why is it important to consider the speaker's intent?

 The speaker's intent is what they are trying to communicate. Understanding their
purpose helps you interpret the meaning of their words accurately.

How can I improve my contextual perspective skills?

 There are many ways! Read widely, pay attention to how words are used in different
situations, practice identifying context clues, and be mindful of cultural differences and
figurative language

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In this MODULE # 3 ACTIVITY # 3 we have presented introductory information about
Contextual Perspective as the study

STUDY SECTION

QUESTIONS: GIVE A RESPONSE TO THE BELOW QUESTIONS FROM YOUR OWN,

GIVE EXAMPLES.

1. What is contextual perspective in English?

2. How do context clues help with understanding?
3. What is the difference between literal and figurative language?
4. Why is sarcasm sometimes confusing?
5. How can cultural context affect meaning?
6. Why is it important to consider the speaker's intent?
7. How can I improve my contextual perspective skills?

EXERCISES ON ENGLISH CONTEXTUAL PERSPECTIVE:

1. Multiple Meanings:

● Sentence: I left my glasses on the table.

● Question: What does "left" mean in this sentence?

● Response: In this context, "left" means "placed" or "put down."

2. Figurative Language:

● Sentence: The exam was a breeze.

● Question: Is "breeze" used literally or figuratively?

● Response: Figuratively. "Breeze" implies something easy, not a literal wind current.

3. Homophones:

● Sentences:
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○ We went to the beach.

○ Let's see the bee's new hive.

● Question: Which words sound the same but have different meanings?

● Response: "Beach" and "bee" are homophones but have different meanings.

4. Pronoun Reference:

● Sentence: Sarah baked a cake. She decorated it beautifully.

● Question: Who does "she" refer to in the second sentence?

● Response: "She" refers back to Sarah, the baker of the cake.

5. Cause and Effect:

● Sentence: It rained heavily, so the streets flooded.

● Question: What caused the streets to flood?

● Response: The heavy rain caused the streets to flood (cause and effect relationship).

6. Formal vs. Informal Language:

● Sentence (Formal): I would like to inquire about the price of this product.

● Sentence (Informal): How much is this?

● Question: Which sentence is more formal?

● Response: The first sentence (I would like to inquire...) is more formal.

7. Point of View:

● Sentence: The story is told from the perspective of a dog.

● Question: Who is telling the story?

● Response: The story is narrated from the point of view of a dog.

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AFTER READIND THE ABOVE EXERCISE GIVE FIVE (5) EXAMPLES FROM YOU OWN
VIEW

1. Question: ________________________________________________________
Response: _______________________________________________________.
2. Question: ________________________________________________________
Response: ________________________________________________________
3. Question: ________________________________________________________
Response: _______________________________________________________
4. Question: ________________________________________________________
Response: _______________________________________________________
5. Question: ________________________________________________________
Response: _______________________________________________________

EXERCISES

Exercises on English Contextual Perspective & Responses

These exercises will help you understand how context shapes the meaning of words and
phrases.

1. Fill in the Blank (Single Word)

● I need a _ _ _ to hammer this nail in. (tool)

● The weather forecast predicts _ _ _ for tomorrow. (rain/sun)

2. Fill in the Blank (Phrase)

● "Can you pass the _ _ _ ?" (salt, phone) - Depends on the context of a meal or
conversation.

● "I need to hit the _ _ _ ." (gym, brakes) - Depends on if you're talking about exercise or
driving.

3. Multiple Choice

● "She's a real catch!" This means she's:

○ (a) difficult to understand

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○ (b) desirable

○ (c) bad at fishing

4. Sentence Interpretation

● "The bank is closed today." Does this mean:

○ (a) A financial institution

○ (b) The edge of a river

5. Identify the Speaker

● "Time for your medicine!" Who might say this?

○ (a) Teacher

○ (b) Doctor

○ (c) Parent

6. Identify the Setting

● "The lights went out during the performance." Where might this happen?

○ (a) A park

○ (b) A theater

○ (c) A library

7. Matching

● Match the slang term to its meaning:

○ Hit the sack (a) start working

○ Catch some rays (b) go to sleep

○ Burn the midnight oil (c) sunbathe

8. Sentence Correction

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● "I went to the store and buy milk." What's wrong with the sentence?

○ (Fix it: I went to the store to buy milk.)

9. Short Dialogue

● Person 1: "This movie is dragging on."

Person 2: "___" (e.g., "Tell me about it" or "Maybe we should leave")

10. News Headline Interpretation

● "Local Hero Saves the Day!" Who is the hero likely to be?

○ (a) A firefighter

○ (b) A politician

○ (c) A celebrity

Bonus: Create Your Own!

● Write your own sentence where the meaning changes depending on the context.

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