Pragmatics

Pragmatics

Roman Jakobson's model of communication, which is foundational in understanding pragmatics.

Pragmatics is a subfield of linguistics and semiotics that studies the ways in which context contributes to meaning. Pragmatics encompasses speech act theory, conversational implicature, talk in interaction, and other approaches to language behavior in philosophy, sociology, linguistics, and anthropology.

Pragmatics is concerned with the study of meaning as communicated by a speaker (or writer) and interpreted by a listener (or reader). It involves the interpretation of what people mean in a particular context and how the context influences what is said. It requires a consideration of how speakers organize what they want to say in accordance with who they are talking to, where, when, and under what circumstances.

Key Concepts in Pragmatics

Context

Context is crucial in pragmatics. It refers to the situational factors that influence the interpretation of a message. Context can be physical, social, or linguistic. It includes the environment in which communication takes place, the relationship between the participants, and the prior discourse.

Speech Acts

Speech acts are actions performed via utterances. According to John Searle, speech acts can be categorized into five types: assertives, directives, commissives, expressives, and declarations. Each type serves a different function in communication.

Implicature

Implicature is a concept introduced by H. P. Grice to explain how speakers can imply meanings beyond the literal interpretation of their words. Conversational implicatures are derived from the context and the assumption that participants are adhering to the cooperative principle and its maxims.

Deixis

Deixis refers to words and phrases, such as "this", "that", "here", and "there", which require contextual information to convey meaning. Deictic expressions are used to point to a time, place, or person in the context of the utterance.

Politeness

Politeness theory, developed by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson, explores how individuals manage face-threatening acts in communication. It examines strategies used to mitigate threats to the listener's self-esteem or "face".

Pragmatics and Communication Models

Pragmatics is closely related to models of communication, such as the one proposed by Roman Jakobson. Jakobson's model includes six functions of language: referential, emotive, conative, phatic, metalingual, and poetic. Each function highlights a different aspect of communication, emphasizing the importance of context and the role of the speaker and listener.

Related Pages

• Linguistics
• Semiotics
• Speech act theory
• Implicature
• Deixis
• Politeness theory