The Concept Of Pragmatics

In the field of Modern Languages and Linguistics, words are of great importance. A language’s phonology (study of how sounds are organized and used), morphology (study of the form and structure of words), syntax (study of the rules that govern sentence structure), semantics (study of meaning of words, sentences, and expressions), pragmatics (study of aspects of meaning and language use and context), and phonetics (study of human speech sounds) all play an important part in everyday life. These have a major impact in understanding the intent of what is spoken or heard. Due to the importance of communication, literary elements such as metaphors (which are defined as a figure of speech in which a word or phrase

pragmatics - knowledge that relates to how language is used appropriately within different social contexts.

Pragmatics is “concerned with the study of meanings as communicated by a speaker (or writer) and interpreted by a listener (or reader)” (Yule 1996). Pragmatics target is to bring speech to its context in order to understand correctly; as basically in the communication through language there is a way more than what is said. Pragmatics cannot by any means be explained without comparing it to semantics. Semantics is known as the study of literal meaning, on the other hand, pragmatics is the study of non-uttered meaning intended by a speaker (writer). Pragmatics is not concerned with the mere meaning of the language, rather it is concerned with examination of language and the effects of language on hearer. It investigated also inference of what is said (written) to finally arrive at true interpretation of intended meaning. Speaker (writer) may say a

For Wilson and Carson (2006:404), there is a relation between language and context in pragmatics which are needed for language

How does the development over time of the main theories in pragmatics show a greater understanding of language use?

Scholars such as Jonson and Toulmin (1988) emphasized the centrality of argumentation in rhetorical interaction. In his publication entitled the ‘philosophy of rhetoric’ I.A Richards (1936:7-11) criticized the ‘proper meaning superstition’ and adopted different stand to that of the classical period where rhetoric was confined to persuasion, for him the study of meaning represent the backbone for the study of rhetoric. For I.A. Richards words can have various meanings and consequently will result in ambiguity of meaning.

In her article “Lost in Translation,” Lera Boroditsky discusses the many aspects of language and how it may influence the way we perceive, think, and even act towards certain situations in our everyday life. Throughout the article, Boroditsky is addressing those who are either highly educated or those who work in a more “professional” business scene that may deal with linguistics on an everyday basis. She attempts to show that language is more than just words and to be more open minded towards those who speak a different language; their experience differs greatly from a native English speaker and vice versa. With the help of the rhetorical devices: anticipating objection, rhetorical questions, and exemplification Boroditsky

Pragmatics is the process of saying more without using so many words. For example, a child needs to use the bathroom but they can’t say “ I need to go to the bathroom” instead they would say the words “Pee” or “

The primary pragmatic function utilized in this language sample was informational, which Max used a total of forty-three times. Occasionally, Max would use the heuristic, instrumental, interactional, and declarative functions. Informational pragmatics answer questions or gives information. As this is an interview-style setting, it would make sense for Max to use this pragmatic function frequently. For

According to Schmitt (2010), there are two approaches of pragmatics, a cognitive or psychological approach which is exploring the relation between linguistic meaning of utterances, the decontextualized, what speakers mean by their utterances on a particular situation and how hearer interpret those utterances on those particular situations. Cognitive approach was developed by philosophers Austin, Searle, and Grice. On the other hand, social pragmatics approach which focuses on the communicative exchanges between individuals in social, cultural and other contextual factors. Brown and Levinson (1978 - 1987) introduced face model of politeness to this approach.

There is no shortage of scholarly reviewed research linking Richard Rorty with the revitalization of pragmatism, or more appropriately neo-pragmatism. Pragmatism has roots in an inquiry of truth, beginning with Peirce’s inquisition into the meaning of concepts from the lens of experience; however more discourse for pragmatism in public administration is aimed at Dewey and his ability to convert concepts into a means of action and emphasis on problem solving (Hildebrand, 2005). Richard Rorty has been credited by several authors (Hildebrand, 2005; Issac, 1999; Hoch, 2006) with reviving pragmatism by engaging the opinions of classical thinkers, most notably Dewey, as relevant to the modern state. For Rorty, man has the ability to propose a

William and Henry James ushered in “Pragmatism” which held that modern society should rely for guidance not on inherited ideals and moral principles but on the test of scientific inquiry.  No idea was valid unless it stood the test of experience.

In my experience, pragmatics, is disguise as many other terms in my curriculum: tone, voice, style, historical and cultural contexts. Style is how something is said. Tone is a writer’s attitude toward a subject. Voice is a writer’s unique use of language; the way a writer chooses words, construct sentences, and expresses ideas. Historical and cultural contexts refers to the events, social problems, traditions, and values that may have influenced the author and the writing. According to Lesaux and Harris, “Pragmatics refers to an understanding of the social rules of communication (Snow and Uccelli 2009)” (Lesaux Harris, p. 17). Even though I don’t directly teach the definition of pragmatics, I feel that in my middle school curriculum pragmatics

Linguists still concentrate much more on whether what is said is grammatical, and what it means for something to be grammatical, than on what effects the verbal behavior has. The analysis of behavior is concerned with taking this most complex category of human behavior and figuring out how it is built up from simpler

George Santayana described Pragmatism this way, “American pragmatism connects the American experimental and inventive attitude with older philosophical ideas” (Stumpf 397).