Pragmatics is the study of how context affects the meaning of verbal expressions. It is a subfield of linguistics, along with semantics, syntax and semiotics. It is sometimes grouped with cognitive pragmatics, which deals with the mental processes that go into understanding language and communication.
The word pragmatic comes from the Latin phrase pragma, which means “practical.” It is also closely related to the Greek praktikos, which means to do something in a practical way. The study of pragmatics is therefore very useful for those who are interested in the way that people communicate with each other and how they interpret what others say.
There are several different approaches to pragmatics. Some of them are more abstract and deal with issues such as the difference between a literal and non-literal interpretation of an utterance. Other approaches are more functional and deal with the ways that words can be used in different situations. The most common approach is to look at the context of an utterance and see how it affects its meaning.
One of the most basic concepts in pragmatics is that there is a distinction between what a speaker actually says and the conventional or literal meaning of those words. When the actual words spoken deviate from their conventional meaning, they are considered non-literal and when they converge with it, they are literal. The concept is a very important one in pragmatics, because it allows us to understand the differences between how an individual may interpret the same phrase in different contexts.
Other concepts in pragmatics include figurative and non-figurative meanings of words, and how contextual information can change their meaning. For example, when someone asks how you are doing, they usually do not intend to get a detailed account of your well-being. Instead, they are often trying to establish rapport with you or simply to convey that they are thinking of you. Pragmatics can help us to recognize this sort of communication and how it varies between cultures.
Teaching pragmatics is not always easy, because there are so many different aspects to it. It can be difficult to find the right balance between teaching the underlying theory and allowing students to practice using language in different situations. One way that teachers attempt to address this is by integrating lessons on pragmatics into other areas of the curriculum. For example, a teacher might add a lesson on how to apologize in a conversation with students who are studying a culture that has very specific rules about taboo questions and responses.
Another way that teachers try to teach pragmatics is by providing a variety of activities and assignments for learners to practice different pragmatic skills in the classroom. For example, the Forum article “Luck of the Draw (Pragmatics)” provides an activity that gives students a scenario and then asks them to choose how they would respond appropriately. The article also includes a variety of other pragmatic activities that can be used in the classroom such as teaching students how to greet speakers who are unfamiliar with them or make requests.