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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of pragmatics in linguistics?
What is the primary focus of pragmatics in linguistics?
What is the term that defines pragmatics according to the Oxford Companion to Philosophy?
What is the term that defines pragmatics according to the Oxford Companion to Philosophy?
What aspect of pragmatics is concerned with the implied meaning behind words and utterances?
What aspect of pragmatics is concerned with the implied meaning behind words and utterances?
What is the term 'pragmatics' often categorized as?
What is the term 'pragmatics' often categorized as?
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What is the pronunciation of the term 'pragmatics'?
What is the pronunciation of the term 'pragmatics'?
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What is the focus of pragmatics in linguistics?
What is the focus of pragmatics in linguistics?
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What is the relationship between pragmatics and pragmatism?
What is the relationship between pragmatics and pragmatism?
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What is an example of pragmatic inference?
What is an example of pragmatic inference?
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Who is credited with coining the term 'pragmatics'?
Who is credited with coining the term 'pragmatics'?
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What is not a characteristic of pragmatics?
What is not a characteristic of pragmatics?
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Study Notes
What is Pragmatics?
- Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that examines how meaning is constructed in specific contexts, beyond the literal meaning of words and utterances.
- It studies the negotiation of meaning between the listener and the speaker in communication.
Definition of Pragmatics
- According to the Oxford Companion to Philosophy (1995), pragmatics is "the study of language which focuses attention on the users and the context of language use rather than on reference, truth, or grammar."
Pronunciation and Synonyms
- Pragmatics is pronounced as "prag - mat- ics."
- There are no direct synonyms for pragmatics, but aspects of pragmatics include implied meaning and speech acts.
Antonyms and Related Fields
- There are no direct antonyms for pragmatics.
- Pragmatics is one of the 7 linguistic frameworks that build the foundation of language study, along with phonetics, phonology, morphology, grammar, syntax, and semantics.
Origin and History of Pragmatics
- The term "pragmatics" was coined by Charles W. Morris in the 1930s and developed as a subfield of linguistics in the 1970s.
- The history of pragmatics can be traced back to the 1870s and the philosophical tradition of pragmatism, which considers words as tools for understanding the world.
Examples of Pragmatics
- Pragmatics considers the meaning of language within its social context, including physical location, social cues, and tone of voice.
- Example 1: "It's hot in here. Can you crack open a window?" is understood in context as a request to open the window, not to damage it.
- Example 2: A neighbour's words "Gosh, would you look at..." are understood in context as a hint to end the conversation, not a genuine interest in the topic.
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Description
Test your understanding of pragmatics, a branch of linguistics that focuses on how meaning is constructed in specific contexts. Learn how pragmatics helps us understand communication beyond the literal meaning of words and utterances.
