Pragmatics

Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics concerned with the study of how context contributes to the meaning of language. It investigates how speakers use language and how listeners interpret it, going beyond the literal meaning of words and sentences to understand the intended meaning and the speaker's goals. pragmatics considers factors such as social context, the relationship between speaker and listener, nonverbal cues, and shared knowledge to explain how language is used in real-world communication. This field explores how we understand indirect speech, irony, sarcasm, and other forms of communicative implicature. It highlights that effective communication relies not just on grammatical correctness but also on understanding the intended meaning within a given context.

Pragmatics meaning with examples

• During a heated argument, John said "Oh, that's just great!" When he said "that's just great" he used verbal irony, implying the opposite of what he said. pragmatics reveals that his words were understood, in that context, to indicate the situation was clearly not good. His tone of voice and the setting informed the real meaning conveyed.
• A sign in a public park reads, "Keep off the grass." pragmatics explains that the sign's intended meaning is not just a command about physical location, but a request. It uses the implication to avoid any damage to the grass. A true use of pragmatics makes people understand the reason for the instruction and understand this implication to respect the rule.
• Imagine two friends, one asks the other, "Can you reach the salt?" In a pragmatic analysis, this isn't just a question about the other person's physical ability. The actual meaning is a request for the salt to be passed. The listener understands the unsaid implication that the speaker wants the salt and is asking a polite question.
• In a job interview, the interviewer asks, "So, tell me about yourself." pragmatics is key to understanding this question's intent. It's not literally a request for a history lesson, but a prompt for the candidate to highlight their relevant skills and experiences, as they relate to the job on offer.