Pragmatics


When we read or hear pieces of language, we normally try to understand not only what the words mean, but also what the writer or speaker of those words intended to convey and the study of this intended speaker meaning is called pragmatics which is sometimes contrasted with semantics dealing with meaning without reference to the users and communicative functions of sentences.

Longman Dictionary of Applied linguistics defines pragmate as
 ‘‘the study of the use of language and the contexts and situations in which they are used’’.

In pragmatics the following factors are included-
(a)   how the interpretation and the use of UTTERANCES depends on knowledge of the real world
(b)  how speakers use and understand SPEECH ACTS
(c)   how the structure of sentences is influenced by the ralationship between the speaker and the hearer.

The following quote will help us to know that A is trying to rent an appartment from B, and thus it wil help us to know something about pragmatics-
            A   :   I have a fourteen years old son
            B   :   Well thats all right
            A   :   I also have a dog
            B   :   Oh Im sorry.

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