Pragmatics

PragmaticsThe term was first used by Charles Morris (1938)

SemioticsPragmatics, together

with Syntax and Semantics, is part of Semiotics (The study

of SIGNS)

Syntax – The study of signs in relation to one another.

Semantics – The study of signs in relation to their referents.

Pragmatics – The study of signs in relation to their users.

Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério

Components of

SpeechDell Hymes

(1962) described the

characteristics of the context of situation which would influence

speech production. He

represented these features mnemonically

by means of the word

SPEAKING.

He also introduced the

notion of communicative

competence.

SETTING (where the interaction takes place)

PARTICIPANTS (those involved in the interaction)

E ND (the purpose of the interaction)

ACT SEQUENCE (message form and content)

K EY (tone, manner or spirit, e.g. sarcastic, dramatic, etc)

I NSTRUMENTALITIES (code)

NORMS (of interaction and of interpretation)

G ENRE (poem, sermon, chat, etc)


Pragmatic Meaning

Semantic MeaningFixed, context-free

In context


The Cooperative Principle

Paul Grice, a philosopher, tried to explain why we are able to interpret utterances which mean something

completely different from their literal meaning.

He proposed that we cooperate with each other to achieve meaning. We do that by assuming we follow

certain principles or maxims.


The Cooperative Principle Paul Grice, 1975

Maxim of Quality: Try to make your contribution one that is true

Maxim of Quantity: Give the right amount of information

Maxim of Relation: Be relevant

Maxim of Manner: Be clear

Do not say what you believe to be false.

Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence.

Make your contributions as informative as is required.

Do not make your contributions more informative than is required.

Avoid obscurity of expression; avoid ambiguity; avoid unnecessary prolixity; be orderly.


Semantic Meaning

+

Co-operative Principles

+

Knowledge of the world

=

Pragmatic Meaning

Pragmatic

Meaning


Coming to Terms with the Maxims

Be true

Be brief

Be clear

Sometimes the maxims lead us in different directions. We decide

which maxim should override the others having the context of

situation in mind


Flouting

the Maxims Figures of Speech

HyperbolesMetaphorsIrony

Sarcasm

Floutings convey Social Meaning

Speaker’s attitudes


Conversational Principles: Politeness

Robin Lakoff, 1973

Don’t imposeGive optionsMake your receiver feel good

Politeness

Brevity

Truth


Modifying

Mitigation (decreasing force)

Aggravation (increasing force)

“Turn that bloody racket down!”

Requesting – You want to ask your cousin, Fiona, to turn the TV down.

“Turn it down.”

“Could you turn it down a bit, please, it’s rather loud.”

“Fiona, could you turn that telly down for a bit. Please!” Are you deaf?


To Act Efficiently

Acknowledge other people’s

To Maintain Social

Relationship

FACEGoffman, 1964


Avoid intruding each other’s territory (physical territory, a particular field of

knowledge, a friendship)

Seek to enlarge the territory of others (make the other person feel good)

To Maintain Social Relationship

NEGATIVE FACE

POSITIVE FACEBrown and Levinson,

1978Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério

Speech Acts which intrude each other’s territory require redressive action of the participants’ Face.

Redressive action directed to the participants’

Face-threatening Acts

NEGATIVE FACE POSITIVE FACENegative Politeness

Positive Politeness


Requesting – You want to ask your cousin, Fiona, to turn the TV down.

“Turn it down.”

Doing an FTA

Negative Politeness

Positive Politeness

“Could you turn it down a bit, please, it’s rather loud.”

“Fiona, could you turn that telly down for a bit. Please!”


Pragmatics

Education

Transcript of Pragmatics