Pragmatics

Pragmatics Definition The study of 'intended speaker meaning' The study of 'invisible' meaning, the UNSAID: we recognize what is meant even when it is not actually said (or written). In order to comprehend 'intended meaning', speakers/writers must be able to depend on a lot of shared assumptions and expectations.

Pragmatics Ex. 1 A: I have a fourteen year old son B: Well that's all right A: I also have a dog B: Oh, I'm sorry Ex. 2 A sign: Heated Attendant Parking

Pragmatics Context LINGUISTIC CONTEXT > co-text: the set of words sorrounding a word within the same phrase or utterance ('bank', sorrounded by cash, money, check, refers to the financial institution) PHYSICAL CONTEXT> the 'physical', social, and cultural situation where/when we encounter linguistic expressions (cf. the notice).

Pragmatics Deixis Deixis means 'pointing' via language, i.e. speakers and listeners can interpret some words only thanks to the physical context. Deictic expressions person deixis: I, you, him, it, them time deixis: now, then, tomorrow, last week place deixis: here, there, beyond other deictics: that, this, those, these

Pragmatics Deixis (cont.)‏ Ex. You'll have to bring that back tomorrow, because they aren't here now. All deictic espressions have to be interpreted in terms of what person, place or time the speaker/writer has in mind.

Pragmatics Reference As deictic expressions need a context to be interpreted, the context must be composed of referents,i.e. people, things, concepts. Words themselves don't refer to anything. People refer. Reference is an act by which speaker/writer uses language to allow listeners/readers to identify people, things, concepts. Behind 'him/that/here' there must be a person, an object, a place shared by both speaker and listener.

Pragmatics Anaphora The anaphoric relation connects the deictic expression to its referent. Ex.: A : Where is my book? B : It's on the table Book = referent or ANTECEDENT It = ANAPHORA

Pragmatics Inference It is an additional information used by the listener/reader to connect what is said to what must be meant. Ex. I have just read Shakespeare The listener/reader infers that the name stands for the book because s/he knows who Shakespeare is. (Common background)‏

Pragmatics Presupposition It implies the fact that the speaker/writer always constructs her/his linguistic messages on the basisof the assumptions about their listeners/readers infer. Ex. I have just read Shakespeare There is an obvious presupposition that the listener/reader knows Shakespeare Ex. Your brother is waiting outside for you presupposition> you have a brother

Pragmatics Speech Acts Speech Event = CONTEXT Actions performed through utterances: Apology, complaint, invitation, promise, request/ order, statement. They depends on the communicative intention of the speaker and on the function they fullfil Example You are so beautiful! I beg your pardon Speech Event = CONTEXT

Pragmatics SPEECH ACTS Locutionary act The act of producing meaningful linguistic expressionI ex. I’ve just made some coffee Illocutionary act The act of producing meaningful linguistic expression with a purpose ex. I’ve just made some coffee >>>>>offer, the purpose is the illocutionary force Perlocutionary act The act of producing an utterance with the speaker’s intention to have some effect on the listener ex. Would you like some coffee? >>>>offer, but with a perlocutionary effect

Pragmatics SPEECH ACT CLASSIFICATION DECLARATIVES Priest: I now pronounce you husband and wife REPRESENTATIVES The earth is flat EXPRESSIVES Congratulations! DIRECTIVES Don’t touch that COMMISSIVES I’ll be back

Pragmatics I'd be grateful if you'd shut the door. INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS SAID I'd be grateful if you'd shut the door.   Would you mind shutting the door?  Could you shut the door?  It'd help to have the door shut.  It's getting cold in here.   Shall we keep out the draught? Now, Jane, what have you forgotten to do? Brr! UNSAID 

Pragmatics DIRECT SPEECH ACTS Teacher to student: "Pick up the chalk" Vs  INDIRECT SPEECH ACTS  Teacher:"Johnny, there's some chalk on the floor" A>unsuccessful unsaid B> successful unsaid  S.:" Yes there is, sir. S.:" Yes, here you are, sir." T.:" Well, pick it up, then!"