Pragmatic is a branch of linguistics that investigates the context and speaker intentions that shape the meaning and interpretation of language. It goes beyond the literal or dictionary meaning of words and considers how language is constructed in real-life situations, including non-linguistic cues, shared knowledge and social norms. It also examines the dynamic nature of communication and how this can change over time.
Its roots are found in the Latin pragma and the Greek praxe, meaning “to do or act.” It is often described as a philosophy of ‘doing what works best’ or ‘taking a realistic approach.’ Historically, the word pragmatic has been used to describe politicians and philosophers who were more interested in the practical applications of ideas rather than idealistic notions. In business, it has been used to describe people who are more focused on the bottom line than on principle and are more likely to make compromises in order to get results.
Taking a pragmatic approach is essential for the success of many projects and businesses, particularly those that rely on public funding or have limited resources to work with. Whether it be a new school, a transport project or even a business idea, pragmatic thinking is a key component to creating effective solutions that will have a positive impact on our society and environment.
Pragmatics is a relatively new field of study in the broader linguistic sciences. However, it is becoming increasingly important as a means to understand human language and communication. It is a broad and diverse subject, spanning several areas of inquiry: theoretical and applied; formal and computational; theoretical and experimental; game-theoretic and clinical; intercultural and interlinguistic pragmatics. There are different approaches to pragmatics based on discipline and methodology, although there are some general tendencies in contemporary philosophical pragmatic theory. For example, those who see pragmatics, in Grice’s vein, as a philosophical project tend to be labelled as ‘Literalists’; those who focus on the interaction between semantics and pragmatics (and primarily on speech acts) are known as ‘contextualists’; and others, such as Relevance Theorists, are concerned with the degree to which pragmatics ‘intrudes’ on semantics.
A pragmatic approach is one that takes into account the most relevant information available and is adapted to the current situation. It is a practical and flexible way of approaching a problem or finding solutions. It also aims to achieve the best possible outcome in the most efficient manner possible.
The term pragmatic is often associated with the philosophy of pragmatism, an approach to life that was developed by the American philosopher John Dewey in the mid-20th century. This philosophy is based on the belief that knowledge is only valid if it represents reality, and that beliefs are only true if they have been useful in helping us to cope with and understand our surroundings.
A person who is pragmatic is someone who is sensible, grounded and practical. For instance, if a four-year-old child wants a unicorn for their birthday, they are probably not being pragmatic because it is unlikely that they will receive one!