Pragmatics

Jul 27, 2024

Lecture on Pragmatics

Introduction

  • Pragmatics: A branch of linguistics with a significant role in the field.
  • The term originates from the Greek word "pragma", meaning action.
  • First used by Greek historian Polybius for his writings.
  • Emerged as a distinct field of study in 1970.

Main Concept

  • Definition: Pragmatics is the study of hidden meanings in language.
  • Example: A signboard reading "baby and toddler sale" implies a sale of baby garments and accessories, not an actual sale of babies.

Importance of Context

  • Context: Background knowledge that helps understand hidden meanings.
    • Physical Context: Information derived from the location (e.g., a building labeled 'bank' is a financial institution).
    • Linguistic Context: Information derived from surrounding words and language (e.g., 'bank' in "the bank is too overgrown" refers to a riverbank).

Deixis

  • Words or expressions pointing to something else.
    • Person Deixis: Points to a person (e.g., I, we, he, she, they).
    • Time Deixis: Points to time (e.g., when, now, then).
    • Spatial Deixis: Points to a location (e.g., where, here, there).

Anaphora and Cataphora

  • Anaphora: Referring to something previously mentioned (e.g., "John is a good boy. He lives near me.").
  • Cataphora: Referring to something that will be mentioned later (e.g., "He lives near me. My best friend John.").

Presupposition

  • Hidden knowledge or information implied by a speaker's words.
  • Example: A new classmate mentioning "my brother in Dubai" presupposes they have multiple brothers without stating it explicitly.

Reference and Inference

  • Reference: Linking something to another name or title (e.g., calling a loud biker "Mr. Kawasaki").
  • Inference: Additional information needed by the listener to understand a message (e.g., identifying an object based on description).

Speech Acts

  • Direct Speech Acts: The direct meaning aligns with the spoken words (e.g., "It's very cold today").
  • Indirect Speech Acts: The intended meaning differs from the spoken words (e.g., "It's very cold outside" implying "close the door").

Politeness

  • Face: One's self-image that they want to be recognized in society.
    • Face-Threatening Acts: Actions or words that threaten someone's self-image.
    • Face-Saving Acts: Actions or words aimed at preserving someone's self-image.

Negative and Positive Face

  • Negative Face: The need to have no imposition or coercion (e.g., saying "Sorry to disturb you" before making a request).
  • Positive Face: The need to be connected and accepted (e.g., collaborating to solve a common problem).

Summary

  • Pragmatics involves understanding the implied, hidden messages, and meanings in a language, heavily reliant on context, deixis, presupposition, reference, inference, speech acts, and politeness.