Text (literary theory) facts for kids
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In simple terms, a text is anything that can be "read" and understood. This could be a book, a street sign, or even the way buildings are arranged in a city. It is a clear set of signs that shares some kind of important message. We think about the message itself, not just its physical form or where it is shown.
When people study literature, "text" also means the original information in a piece of writing. It's the first set of letters and words as they were written. This is separate from any changes, damage, notes, or translations added later. So, when literary experts try to find the "text," they want to find the true, original message. They want to separate it from anything that has been added or taken away in a physical document.
The idea of "text" came about much later than the history of writing. Most written works were not created with this specific idea in mind. The concept of "text" becomes important when a clear written message is finished. It needs to be understood on its own, no matter how or when it was made.
Contents
What Does "Text" Mean in Literature?
In literary criticism, the word "text" has a special meaning. It refers to the main information of a written work. Think of it as the original words and symbols an author first put down. This is the "text" before anyone makes changes or adds comments.
Finding the Original Message
When experts study a "text," they try to figure out what the author truly meant. They look for the first version of the writing. They want to remove anything that might have been added or changed over time. This helps them understand the true, unchanged message.
Where Does the Word "Text" Come From?
The word text comes from an old Latin word, textum. This word means "fabric" or "something woven." A Roman writer named Quintilian used this idea a long time ago. He said that after you choose your words, you must "weave them together into a fine and delicate fabric." This shows how words are put together, just like threads in a cloth.
See also
- Text linguistics
- Textual criticism
- Textual scholarship
- Theme (narrative)
