The multi-layered extra-textual environment which exerts a determining influence on the language used. The subject matter of a given text, for example, is part of a context of situation. The ideology of the speaker, on the other hand, would form part of the context of culture. Finally, context of utilisation caters for such factors as whether the translation is in written form, orally done (interpreting) or as subtitling/dubbing, etc.

Typical context types include context of culture, context of situation, and context of utilization.