Pragmatics

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Pragmatics

• Interpreting what speakers mean

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The Interpretation of Linguistic Messages

• based on
• knowledge of the meaning of the word
• knowledge about the context
• e.g. FALL BABY SALE

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Context

• linguistic context or co-text
• set of other words used in the same phrase or
  context
• physical context if the location will influence
  interpretation

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Deictic Expressions

• Can not be interpreted unless the physical
  context is known.
• Examples here, there, this, that, then,
  yesterday, as well as most pronouns, such as
  I,you, him, her them

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Presupposition

• What a speaker assumes is true or known by the
  hearer
• E.g. Your brother is waiting for you. ?
  obvious presupposition that you have a brother.

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Speech Acts

• Austin (1962), How to do things with words.
• Actions such as requesting, informing,
  commanding, questioning
• We use linguistic forms with the functions
  (speech acts)

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locutionary meaning

• speakers utterance

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illocutionary force

• speakers intention

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perlocutionary impact

• hearers reaction
• E.g. ADo you smoke?
• B Yes, thanks.
• A I wasnt offering, just asking.

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Grice (1975) The co-operative principle

• 4 Maxims
• quantity
• quality
• relation
• manner

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The co-operative principle

• QUANTITY make your contribution as informative
  as required, but not more or less than required

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The co-operative principle

• QUALITY do not say which you believe to be false
  or for which you lack evidence

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The co-operative principle

• RELATION be relevant

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The co-operative principle

• MANNER be clear, brief and orderly