Pragmatics

1. Pragmatics

2. Terminology & Context • Pragmatics: the study of intended meaning • often this meaning is “invisible” and consists of “shared assumptions” between speaker and listener • Linguistic context: other words used in conjunction with the targeted phrase • Physical context: where and when the targeted words appear

3. Deixis • Deixis: words that have no specific meaning outside of context; “pointing” words • Place • here, there, somewhere on the desk • Time • now, then, later, yesterday, last year, every Tuesday during the term • People • I, you, she, he, they, someone else, anyone, all of them

4. Inference • Inference is additional information used by the listener to create a connection between what has been said and what must be meant. • Inference depends on the listener, not the speaker. • Student P: Is American Englishes a gender? • Student Q: No, it’s a race and ethnicity. • Q has inferred that P is asking if the class meets the gender requirement – not if it is the new third gender after female and male.

5. Reference • Reference: an act by which a speaker uses language to enable a listener to identify something • Anaphora: a word used to replace or refer to another— • Call Jim; I need his help! • Antecedent: the word replaced— • Call Jim; I need his help! • Vague referents –a writing problem in which the reader cannot infer the writer’s referents.

6. Presuppositions • Presupposition: knowledge the speaker assumers the listener has. • Negate the sentence to test for presuppositions • Whatever is still true is the presupposition. • Peter is an excellent student • Peter is not an excellent student • Peter is a student • Mary loves her husband John. • Mary doesn’t love her husband John • Mary and John are wife and husband

7. 3 Moods 3 speech acts • Imperative mood – commands • Don’t sit there! • Please come by nine. • Let’s not eat here. • Indicative mood – statements • We bought that yesterday. • She doesn’t know the answer. • Interrogative mood – questions • Want to go now or tomorrow? • Don’t you have any money?

8. Direct Speech Acts • A question is a question • What time is it? • Where did I put that notebook? • Didn’t he write that paper yet? • A statement is a statement • It’s 12 noon. • Alice has not found the lost car keys. • A command is a command • Tell her what time it is! • Tuck in your shirt and stop slouching.

9. Indirect speech acts • A statement in form is heard as a command • Your bedroom needs to be cleaned before Mom arrives. • Exercise and diet are what you need. • A statement in form is heard as a question • I believe the trash was last taken out by your sister? • You put this on the shopping list for a reason.

10. More indirect speech acts • A question in form is heard as a statement • John knows where the airport is, doesn’t he? • Why do I want to buy those expensive pearls? • A question in form is heard as a command • Is it your turn to do the dishes? • Shouldn’t someone your age know better than to skip breakfast?

11. More indirect speech acts • A command in form is heard as a statement • You should make yourselves at home. • Eat as many cookies as you would like. • A command in form is heard as a question • If you can stay, please sit down and be comfortable. • Let’s try again if everyone is ready.