kontekstualiserer

Kontekstualisere is a Danish verb meaning to place something in its context or to interpret by considering surrounding factors. It involves relating a statement, artifact, or event to its broader setting—historical, cultural, social, linguistic, or situational—to reveal meaning that would not be evident in isolation. The act may also prevent misinterpretation.

In academia, journalism, education, and everyday discourse, kontekstualisering helps situate claims, artifacts, or data within relevant background. It is used to explain why something matters, how it relates to other elements, or how reception changes across audiences or times. It contrasts with decontextualisering, where context is stripped away or ignored.

Practically, kontekstualisering involves identifying relevant factors, selecting pertinent background information, and integrating it into analysis or narrative. Distinctions are made between context of situation (the immediate circumstances) and context of discourse (the surrounding text or discourse). Effective kontekstualisering enhances transparency and reproducibility of interpretations.

Etymology: the Danish noun kontekst means context, borrowed from English or Latin roots; the verb form is built with the suffix -ualisere, common in Danish neologisms for ‘to make contextual.’ See also context, contextualization, decontextualization.