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.