1. Pragmatics

2. Terminology & Context Pragmatics: the study of intended meaning
often this meaning is “invisible” and consists of “shared assumptions” between speaker and listener
Linguistic context: other words used in conjunction with the targeted phrase
Physical context: where and when the targeted words appear

3. Deixis
Deixis: words that have no specific meaning outside of context; “pointing” words
Place
here, there, somewhere on the desk
Time
now, then, later, yesterday, last year, every Tuesday during the term
People
I, you, she, he, they, someone else, anyone, all of them

4. Inference
Inference is additional information used by the listener to create a connection between what has been said and what must be meant.
Inference depends on the listener, not the speaker.
Student P: Is American Englishes a gender?
Student Q: No, it’s a race and ethnicity.
Q has inferred that P is asking if the class meets the gender requirement – not if it is the new third gender after female and male.

5. Reference
Reference: an act by which a speaker uses language to enable a listener to identify something
Anaphora: a word used to replace or refer to another—
Call Jim; I need his help!
Antecedent: the word replaced—
Vague referents –a writing problem in which the reader cannot infer the writer’s referents.

6. Presuppositions
Presupposition: knowledge the speaker assumers the listener has.
Negate the sentence to test for presuppositions
Whatever is still true is the presupposition.
Peter is an excellent student
Peter is not an excellent student
Peter is a student
Mary loves her husband John.
Mary doesn’t love her husband John
Mary and John are wife and husband

7. 3 Moods 3 speech acts Imperative mood – commands
Don’t sit there!
Please come by nine.
Let’s not eat here.
Indicative mood – statements
We bought that yesterday.
She doesn’t know the answer.
Interrogative mood – questions
Want to go now or tomorrow?
Don’t you have any money?

8. Direct Speech Acts A question is a question A statement is a statement
What time is it?
Where did I put that notebook?
Didn’t he write that paper yet?
A statement is a statement
It’s 12 noon.
Alice has not found the lost car keys.
A command is a command
Tell her what time it is!
Tuck in your shirt and stop slouching.

9. Indirect speech acts A statement in form is heard as a command
Your bedroom needs to be cleaned before Mom arrives.
Exercise and diet are what you need.
A statement in form is heard as a question
I believe the trash was last taken out by your sister?
You put this on the shopping list for a reason.

10. More indirect speech acts
A question in form is heard as a statement
John knows where the airport is, doesn’t he?
Why do I want to buy those expensive pearls?
A question in form is heard as a command
Is it your turn to do the dishes?
Shouldn’t someone your age know better than to skip breakfast?

11. More indirect speech acts
A command in form is heard as a statement
You should make yourselves at home.
Eat as many cookies as you would like.
A command in form is heard as a question
If you can stay, please sit down and be comfortable.
Let’s try again if everyone is ready.