Pragmatics is a field that studies the context-based meaning of language. It differs from semantics because it takes into account social, cultural, and situational factors when interpreting verbal expressions. Knowing about pragmatics will allow you to politely hedge a request, cleverly read between the lines, and navigate ambiguity in conversation. It will also enable you to understand how people from different cultures communicate.
The interdisciplinary nature of pragmatics means that it draws from many disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, psychology, cognitive science, and linguistics. This rich cross-pollination enriches the study of discourse and highlights its interconnectedness with the social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of human communication.
In its philosophical roots, pragmatics is inextricably linked to philosophy of language and theories of meaning. It has been shaped by philosophers such as Wittgenstein, Austin, and Grice. Foundational contributions by pragmatists have included exploration of the nature of inquiry and truth, as well as an emphasis on understanding language as action.
More recently, the burgeoning discipline of cognitive science has contributed to pragmatics with research on how individuals process and produce language in context. There is a strong overlap between the theory of discourse and cognitive science, with research exploring themes such as turn-taking norms in dialogue, the cognitive mechanisms of implicature and inference, and the mental representations that underpin politeness and social norms.
A deep understanding of the pragmatics of language is essential for effective cross-cultural communication. What is considered polite and appropriate in one culture may be perceived as rude or bizarre in another. For example, the directness valued in some Western cultures can be seen as abrasive in Asian cultures where indirectness and subtlety are prized.
The study of figurative language in particular is a key part of pragmatics, with metaphor and rhetorical devices often proving more meaningful than mere literal statements. These tools are used because they convey more information in a shorter amount of time and with less effort than simple literal language. In fact, it is thought that language evolved not to accurately describe the world but rather to help humans evade predators and survive in it. In other words, evolution favored the monkey that took cognitive shortcuts but still managed to evade the predator over the monkey that spent valuable brainpower trying to be logically sound but never succeeded in escaping the predator.
The classroom is a natural environment for learning about pragmatics because it allows learners to experiment with and become proficient in using language differently in different situations. For example, students can practice the appropriate use of greetings in different cultures by role-playing in scenarios with speakers and locations that are randomly selected. Teachers might also add lessons on pragmatics in conjunction with textbook units that cover language functions such as invitations, complaints, requests, and apologies.