16 Questions
Pragmatics is “the investigation into that aspect of meaning which is derived not from the formal properties of words, but from the way in which ______ are used and how they relate to the context in which they are uttered.”
utterances
Pragmatics is “the study of meaning in relation to ______ situations”. The speech situation enables the speaker use language to achieve a particular effect on the mind of the hearer.”
speech
Pragmatics is “the study of those aspects of the relationship between language and context that are relevant to the writing of ______.”
grammars
Leech & Short (1981) - Pragmatics is “the investigation into that aspect of meaning which is derived not from the formal properties of words, but from the way in which ______ are used and how they relate to the context in which they are uttered.”
utterances
Leech (1983) - Pragmatics is “the study of meaning in relation to ______ situations”. The speech situation enables the speaker use language to achieve a particular effect on the mind of the hearer.”
speech
Levinson (1983) – Pragmatics is “the study of those aspects of the relationship between language and context that are relevant to the writing of ______.”
grammars
Pragmatics is “the study of intended speaker ______.”
meaning
Language use focuses on language in actual ______ situations.
speech
Pragmatics analysts seek to explain what communicators actually “do” with ______.
language
Participants in a conversation/discourse situation, their roles, relationship, and identities have some influence on how meanings are ______ and interpreted.
encoded
Interactants do not rely only on their knowledge of the language system when they interpret meaning but also their knowledge of the ______, cultures, conventions or world view.
world
In stressing utterances in communication rather than structural sentences, a pragmatics analyst seeks to explain what communicators actually “do” with ______.
language
Jide seemingly asks two ______: “what’s up.” and “do you have some change on you.”
questions
Mark immediately understands that Jide is not asking a yes or no question, rather a request for money to pay his taxi fare, so he gives an ______ answer.
explanatory
“What’s up” is a form of greeting rather than a ______.
question
Jide right assumed that mark would interpret his “questions” ______.
correctly
Study Notes
Definition of Pragmatics
- Pragmatics is the investigation into the aspect of meaning derived from the way words are used and how they relate to the context in which they are uttered.
- Pragmatics is the study of meaning in relation to speech situations.
- Pragmatics is the study of those aspects of the relationship between language and context that are relevant to the writing of utterances.
Key Concepts
- Language use focuses on language in actual speech situations.
- Pragmatics analysts seek to explain what communicators actually “do” with language.
- Participants in a conversation/discourse situation, their roles, relationship, and identities influence how meanings are constructed and interpreted.
Contextual Factors
- Interactants rely on their knowledge of the context, cultures, conventions, or world view to interpret meaning.
- Knowledge of the language system is not enough to interpret meaning, contextual knowledge is also necessary.
Example of Pragmatics in Action
- Jide's questions "what's up" and "do you have some change on you" are not meant to be taken literally, but as a request for money.
- Mark immediately understands the intention behind Jide's "questions" and gives a relevant answer.
- "What's up" is a form of greeting rather than a question.
- Jide rightly assumed that Mark would interpret his "questions" correctly.
Explore the nature, principles, and scope of pragmatics with this quiz. Learn about different definitions of pragmatics according to language scholars like Leech & Short (1981) and deepen your understanding of this aspect of meaning.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
