Lecture 1

11
Pragmatics
Dr. Hameed Al-Zubeiry
Level 8
‫هــ‬1437-1436

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- Linguistics: language systems
-Origin of Pragmatics: Background
- What is pragmatics?
- What’ s Context
- Semantics Vs Pragmatics
- Sentence Meaning Vs Utterance Meaning
Dr. Hameed Al-ZubeiryPragmatics

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3
Phonetics Phonology
Sound
Linguistics: language systems
Structure
Morphology Syntax
Meaning
Semantics
:
(descriptive
/referential
meaning)
Pragmatics:
(situational/
contextual
meaning)
The Different Linguistic Strata (layers)
(Branches of Linguistics)

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•The word “pragmatics” is derived from the Greek:
• /pragma/ “deed”
• and an even earlier form:
• /prassein/ “to do”
Origin of Pragmatics

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The term pragmatics stems from the philosopher Charles
Morris (1938), who was actually interested in semiotics (or
semiotic). Semiotics tries to separate “objective” definitions
of the structure and meaning of words and sentences in
syntax and semantics from subjective and context
dependent senses (often: requests or demands of actions)
in pragmatics.
Background

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Morris distinguished three branches of study within semiotics:
Syntax: the study of the formal relation of signs to one
another”,
Semantics: the study of the relations of signs to the objects to
which signs are applicable”, and
Pragmatics: the study of the relation of signs to interpreters”
(1938:6).

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Definitions:
1. Pragmatics is the study of linguistic acts and contexts in
which they are performed (Stalnaker 1972).
2. Pragmatics is a theory which seeks to characterize how
speakers use the sentences of a language to effect successful
communication (Kempson 1975).
3. Pragmatics is the study of language use and linguistic
communication.(Akmajian 1979).
4. Pragmatics can be defined as the study of how utterances
have meanings in situations. ( Leech 1983)
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What is pragmatics?

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5. Pragmatics is concerned with the study of meaning as
communicated by a speaker (or writer) and interpreted by a
listener (or reader). (Yule 1993)
6. Pragmatics is the study of deixis (at least in part),
implicature, presupposition, speech acts, and aspects of
discourse structure. (Levinson 2000)
……………… the study of language in use or context
Pragmatics

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So, Pragmatics focuses on the analysis of meaning in
context. It is the study of:
- language in use,
- intentional meaning,
- speaker’s meaning ,
- utterance meaning,
- contextual meaning .

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Example: speaker’s meaning
Situation: a father is trying to get his three-year-old
daughter to stop lifting up her dress to display her
new underwear to assemble.
Father: We don’t DO that.
Daughter: I KNOW, Daddy. You don’t WEAR dresses.
Pragmatics

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What’ s Context
Context refers to the knowledge shared by the speaker and
hearer.
Knowledge of/about
Speaker B
(Hearer B)
Speaker A
(Hearer A)
-Language
-what has been said before
-the world in general
-the situation
-each other
Context determines
The speaker’s use
of Language.
The hearer’s
interpretation of
what is said to
him/her
So...
Pragmatics

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• Sentence 1: Omer’s got a knife.
• Context 1: You’re sitting on the beach in Jeddah, trying to
figure out how to open a coconut.
• Someone says: Omer’s got a knife!
• Context 2: Raid has just crashed into Omer’s car. Omer
gets out of his car, looking angry, with a butcher knife in his
hand.
• Someone says: Omer’s got a knife!
• In context 1, the sentence provides information.
• In context 2, the sentence is a warning.
Example:
Pragmatics

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Semantics Vs Pragmatics
Semantics Pragmatics
-Studies meaning in isolation (literal
meaning of a sentence)
e.g.
Today is Thursday.
It means “Today is the weekend”.
-Studies meaning in context (intended
meaning of a speaker)
e.g.
Today is Thursday.
It may imply suggestion, invitation, ..etc.
-Semanticists take meaning to be
inherent property of language.
e.g. Dog!
-Pragmaticists regard meaning as
something that is realized in the course
of communication.
e.g, Dog! [warning]
Pragmatics

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Relationship inside the language.
e.g. the flame of the fire grew
higher!
Relationship between the language
and the world.
e.g. the flame of the fire grew
higher!
(warning: danger)
- Abstract realization of meaning. - Concrete realization of meaning
- The study of sentence. -The study of utterance.
Pragmatics

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Sentence Vs Utterance
Sentence Utterance
-A sentence is a unit of grammar
which has rules of construction.
e.g. Can you pass me the salt?
(Interrogative)
- An utterance is a unit of
communication which has certain
communicative functions.
e.g. Can you pass me the salt?
(Request)
Pragmatics

Sentence Meaning Vs Utterance Meaning
Sentence Meaning Utterance Meaning
- Abstract and context-independent
meaning.
- Concrete and context-dependent
meaning.
-- literal meaning of a sentence. --intended meaning of a speaker.
- having a dyadic relation as in:
“what does X mean?
- having a triadic relation as in:
“What did you mean by X?
Pragmatics

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• The bag is heavy”
- a bag being heavy (sentence meaning)
- an indirect, polite request, asking the hearer to help him
carry the bag.
- The speaker is declining someone’s request for help.
Example:
Note: the meaning of an utterance is based on the meaning of
a sentence in a real situation of communication, or simply in a
context; utterance is richer than sentence meaning, it is
identical with the purpose of which the speakers utters the
sentence.

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Questions:
-What is the origin of the term pragmatics? Trace its
development.
- Mention the different definitions of the term pragmatics.
Give an example to the speaker’s meaning.
- Write a paragraph about context pointing out how it helps
in understanding meaning.
-Compare between the two fields: Semantics and
Pragmatics support your answer with examples.

Lecture 1

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Lecture 1