Kontexty

Kontexty is the plural form of kontext used in Czech and Slovak to denote contexts or surrounding conditions. The term derives from the Latin contextus and is used in linguistics, philosophy, and computing to describe the surrounding information that helps interpret a statement, action, or data.

In linguistics, kontexty encompass linguistic context (co-text) and situational context. Co-text refers to the neighboring words or sentences that influence meaning, while situational context covers factors such as who is speaking, where and when the communication takes place, and the intended audience. Together, kontexty determine sense, reference, and interpretation, explaining why a word or utterance can have multiple possible meanings.

In information technology, kontexty are contextual informations used by context-aware systems to adapt their behavior. Examples include a user’s location, time of day, device capabilities, or current activity. Such contextual data enables applications to tailor content, interfaces, or recommendations to the user’s situation.

Beyond language and computing, the concept of kontexty appears in philosophy, semiotics, and discourse analysis as a framework for understanding how background assumptions and surrounding conditions shape meaning and judgment. Since kontexty are dynamic and vary across languages, cultures, and domains, precise interpretation often depends on identifying the appropriate contextual layer for a given analysis.

See also: context, co-text, context-aware computing, contextualization.