+1. Pragmatics.- What is pragmatics?- Context2. Speech acts.- direct speech acts- indirect speech acts

Pragmatics Speech acts

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What is pragmatics?

+Pragmatics :

The study of ‘invisible’ meaning, or how we recognize what is meant even when it is not actually said or written.

( context and communicative intentions of the speaker )

+Context :

1. Co-text ( linguistic context)The co-text of a word is the set of other words used in the same phrase or sentence. This surrounding co-text has a strong effect on what we think the word means.

Examples :

I have to go to the bank to cash a check.

After he swam, he had a rest on the river bank.

+Context :

2. Physical context ( situational context)

Physical context is real- world referent. If you see the word Bank on the wall of a building in a city, the 'physical' location will influence your interpretation. Our understanding of much of what we read and hear is tied to the physical context, particularly the time and place, in which we encounter linguistic expressions

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Speech Acts

+Speech acts :

The action performed by a speaker with an utterance.

E.g. I will be there at six. (promising)

+Structure Function

Did you read the book? Interrogative Question

Read the book

(please)!Imperative Command

(request)

You read the book Declarative Statement

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1. Direct speech actse.g. can you speak English?

2. Indirect speech actse.g. can you pass the salt?

*(polite)

+- You left the door open!(structure: declarative)(function: request)- Visitor: excuse me. Do you know where Hilton hotel is?Passer-by: oh sure, I know where it is. (and walks away)(the passer-by is acting as if the utterance was a direct speech act instead of an indirect speech act as a request for directions though the structure is interrogative)

+References:

Chapter 11 ( the study of language )