Pragmatic is an approach that prioritizes practicality and efficiency over theoretical principles or idealistic goals. It is also a way of speaking and acting that reflects these values.
Pragma comes from the Greek word meaning “to do.” A pragmatic person does what works or is most effective rather than following strict principles or ideals. This pragmatic outlook can be a great asset for someone learning a new language. Pragmatic instruction often involves a combination of activities and teaching strategies that encourage learners to determine the most appropriate manner for speaking in particular situations. This type of instruction can be incorporated into a foreign language curriculum by linking it to specific language functions such as greetings, asking for help, making requests, offering advice, or apologizing.
The study of pragmatics is a relatively new area of linguistics. It is sometimes referred to as far-side pragmatics or pragmatics and language use because it is concerned with the relationship between the semantic (literal) meaning of an utterance and its social interpretation. It is a subfield of generative grammar, which deals with how a language is constructed.
It is often taught in conjunction with semantics, syntax and phonology, but differs from each of these areas. Semantics and grammar focus on the literal meaning of an utterance, while pragmatics takes into account the context of the speech to determine the inferred meaning.
One of the main theories behind pragmatics is called relevance theory, which was first developed by Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson. Relevance theory suggests that every utterance conveys enough relevant information to make it worth the listener’s effort to process it. This principle of communicative effectiveness is the basis for most pragmatic analysis.
There are several different approaches to pragmatics, which is why it is sometimes referred to as far-side or near-side pragmatics. The two main models are: Those who are traditionalists believe that the semantics of an utterance should be independent of its pragmatics, while those who are contextualists view the pragmatic aspects as being a natural part of the semantics of an utterance.
In general, pragmatics is all about the social and cultural context in which a speaker operates. It involves the social signs, body language, and tone of voice that are used to convey an utterance’s intended meaning. Pragmatics is an important aspect of communication because it allows us to understand what a person really means when they speak.
Teaching pragmatics is an excellent way to improve children’s spoken language skills. It can be especially helpful for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, as many of these students have difficulty with pragmatic language development. Educators, speech pathologists and other interventionists often work with these students to teach the necessary language skills for a successful communication experience. By incorporating pragmatic instruction, children with Autism can develop their language and social skills, improving their overall quality of life. For more information about how to teach pragmatics to your child, talk with their doctor or a speech-language pathologist.