1 pragmatics introduction web
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M. Ferenk Pragmalinguistics 2014 Strana 1
Pragmalinguistics
Introduction
Ch.Morris Foundations of the Theory of Signs (1938) the founding father of pragmatics
His theory of semiosis makes a tripartite distinction:
Syntax = relationships between signs and other signs arranged in a sequence with no recourse to the world of referents
Semantics = rel. bet. signs and referents/entities attempts to establish rel. bet. words and the world (= referents)
language sign = signifiant and signifi
Pragmatics = rel. bet. signs and users of the forms only here humans enter the sign
focuses on real peoples intended meanings, assumptions, purposes, goals, actions and their effects
cf. My glass is empty.
Pragmatics is:
- useful + exciting - how people make sense of each other
- sense-making
- challenging + frustrating: - we do not have direct access to peoples intended meanings
Language is a highly structured phenomenon offering resources for users to meet their
expressive and communicative objectives.
Language resources: Phonetics/phonology
Lexico-grammar Morphology
Syntax
Lexicon + semantics
Pragmatics another level?
No ANY linguistic resource can be studied from the viewpoint of its usage or
NO linguistic resource can be ignored by pragmatics:
Examples of pragmatically-relevant phenomena:
Phonology: Its wonderful. = statement, exclamation, appreciation, ironical remark dep. on prosody
pragmatic function of intonation
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M. Ferenk Pragmalinguistics 2014 Strana 2
Morphology: derivational
kind, lawful = norm, standard, unmarked, basic
unkind,unlawful = marked, derived
cf. bad - *unbad > good
compounding
dog bite = an injury caused by dog
= an injury caused by sb. else on a dog (?)
near miss/*hit
A near miss = an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness,
or damage but had the potential to do so.
Lexis: How old/*young is your baby-son?
How far/*close is it ... ?
old, far = norm
young, close = marked
Usage-related aspects of propositional meaning:
The X is on the Y The cat is on the mat horizontal The painting is on the wall vertical
The fly is on the ceiling under The painting is on the ceiling applied to
Syntax: Peter broke the vase The vase was broken The vase got broken. = progressive deagentivization/depersonalization
Pragmatics has no specific unit of analysis
is concerned with the full complexity of linguistic behaviour
is a link between the linguistics and the interdisciplinary studies focusing on
the functioning of humans in communication:
neurolinguistics
sociolinguistics
psycholinguistics
cognitive linguistics
anthropological linguistics ...
Definitions of Pragmatics:
= science of language seen in relation to its users (J.Mey)
= the science of language use (J.Verschueren)
=study of linguistic phenomena from the point of view of their usage properties and processes
(J.Verschueren)
Pragmatics deals with biotic aspects of semiosis (Morris)
= with psychological, biological, sociological phenomena involved in language use
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M. Ferenk Pragmalinguistics 2014 Strana 3
Cf. semantics and pragmatics:
Both are engaged in the study meaning, BUT:
Semantics Pragmatics
context-independent meanings context-dependent meanings
what morphemes, words, phrases, clauses mean what users mean by language
(grammar and lexicon)
meaning is dyadic triadic
X means Y Speaker means X by Y
componential analysis:
bachelor = [+male, -married]
compositional meaning:
He is a bachelor. He is a bachelor.
individual words + grammar
sentence meaning utterance meaning
Pragmatics = semantics + context
Context of utterance 1. spatio-temporal location
2.societal/cultural
3. textual = co-text
Meaning is not stable part of lingusitic expressions but is generated in communication
Language-in-use involves language in action by real, live people
What is language action?
Ex. A roundabout technique of saying you stole the book = a pragmatic act of requesting to return the book back to its place, done
implicitely, hint
indirect accussation
Q: Why do we call it pragmatic act?
A: Because we cannot explain it using normal linguistic means: the underlying principle is implicature = implied meaning
Note: this is reminiscent of a waste-basket theory of Pragmatics (Bar-Hillel): P is a waste-basket of linguistics
P = a throw-away dustbin of oddities, irregularities, inconsistencies, absurdities,
etc. which cannot be normally explained
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M. Ferenk Pragmalinguistics 2014 Strana 4
Pragmatics = a general cognitive, social, and cultural perspective on linguistic phenomena
in relation to their usage in forms of behaviour (Verschueren)
Core topics in pragmatics:
entailment, presupposition, implicature, reference, speech acts, deixis, politeness
Why study pragmatics?
get fuller and deeper understanding of how human mind works
humans communicate
behave towards one another
manipulate one another
Literature:
Mey, J. 1993. Pragmatics. Blackwell.
Peccei, J.S. 1999. Pragmatics. London and New York: Routledge.
Trnyikov, L.2000. Pragmatics. In P.tekauer (ed.) Rudiments of English Linguistics. Preov: Slovacontact.
Verschueren, J. 1999. Understanding Pragmatics. Arnold.
Yule, G. 1996. Pragmatics. OUP.
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