Question

"context affects content"
what does this mean

Answer 1

If you heard these words, how would you interpret them?

"My dear, I don't give a d**n!

"It’s a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done."

In the first quote, Rhett Butler is responding to Scarlet O'Hare's complaint that she doesn't know where to go if he leaves her. (<i>Gone With the wind</i>.

The second quote is from Sydney Carton who is voluntarily going to the guillotine.<i>Tale of Two Cities</i>

As you can see, the content can't be understood unless the context is known.

Answer 2

Wonderful examples. In addition, did you try a good dictionary?

context = 1 : the parts of a discourse that surround a word or passage and can throw light on its meaning
2 : the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs : ENVIRONMENT, SETTING
In other words = how the word (s) is/are used.

to affect = : to produce an effect upon: as a : to produce a material influence upon or alteration in <paralysis affected his limbs> b : to act upon (as a person or a person's mind or feelings) so as to effect a response : INFLUENCE
usage see EFFECT
In other words to cause something to change.

content = 1 a : something contained — usually used in plural <the jar's contents> <the drawer's contents> b : the topics or matter treated in a written work <table of contents>
2 a : SUBSTANCE, GIST b : MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE c : the events, physical detail, and information in a work of art; compare FORM 10b
3 a : the matter dealt with in a field of study b : a part, element, or complex of parts
4 : the amount of specified material contained :
In other words, the topic.

Sra