It is easy to understand what coherence is if we compare it with cohesion. While cohesion is a surface phenomenon, coherence deals with the connectivity of underlying content. In other words, coherence is a procedure to ensure conceptual connectivity which includes (i) logical relations, (ii) organization of events, objects and situation and (iii) continuity in human experience. To make it more explicit, it deals with basic relations such as cause-effect, problem-solution, temporal sequence etc. For example, consider the structure of a text. It may typically consist of: a thesis, an antithesis and a synthesis; an introduction, the subject, its aspects and examples, a conclusion; a definition of the argument of the title, the pros and cons, and the conclusion; a build-up, a climax and a denouement. Further, a text may have its structure marked by pointers - chapters, headings, sub-headings, paragraphs.
That is, coherence of a text comprises the configuration and sequencing of the concepts and relation of the textual world dealt within the text. Let us look at structure of the following text, as an example: |
The first two paragraphs state the problems. In the next two sentences, the solution to the problem is introduced. And the solution is further strengthened in the rest of the paragraphs. Finally the last paragraph makes a suggestion to the reader. The thematic development of the text is explicitly marked by certain cohesive devices. For instance, so in the beginning of the second paragraph. However, even if we remove these markers, the sequencing is fixed.
The coherence of a text may vary from culture to culture or significantly according to subject matter or textual genre. Then a translator has to recognize the coherence of SLT and judge the coherence of a TT in TL terms. |
