Pragmatics is the study of language and meaning in context. It is a broad field with many subfields including speech act theory, indexicality, ambiguity and pragmatic reasoning. It is sometimes regarded as the bridge between semantics (the significance conventionally or literally attached to words) and linguistic interpretation (the meanings that emerge from the context of an utterance, such as implication or implicature).
The term ‘pragmatic’ has also been used to describe particular ways of behaving, particularly in regard to morality or ethics. For example, pragmatism is often used to describe a morally neutral position that takes into account the consequences of one’s actions for everyone involved. For example, it is a pragmatic position to kill your creditor because it will ensure you never have to pay your debts.
Although a number of experimental techniques have been developed to examine pragmatic understanding, no one method offers a comprehensive picture of the different kinds of meanings that emerge from the context of an interlocutory interaction. The time it takes to read a figurative utterance (metaphor, idiom, irony) and the time it takes to process individual words in a phrase or sentence that conveys different kinds of pragmatic meanings via conversational implicature are two examples of experimental methods that offer insight into some aspects of pragmatic understanding.
Nevertheless, we need to acknowledge that the task demands of any experimental pragmatic situation may influence what kind of understanding of an utterance occurs and how it unfolds over time. It is important for theories of pragmatics to recognise this. In addition, we need to find new methodologies for examining pragmatic meaning and its consequences for the way people use and understand language in the real world.
Pragmatics in a second or foreign language classroom is an extremely valuable component to teach, as it enables students to communicate effectively in a variety of situations. This month’s Teacher’s Corner explores what pragmatics is, how it is defined and some ideas for teaching it.
Whether you’re discussing what to wear on your wedding day or how to respond to a difficult colleague, pragmatics is the ability to adapt your behaviour and speech to suit the situation at hand. It’s a vital skill that can help you get through difficult conversations, make friends and even be successful in the workplace.