The Study of Language and

Communication

Pragmatics
Nicolás García - Phillip Marín
 What is Pragmatics?
Pragmatics: the study of what
speakers/writers mean.
In language, there are aspects of
meaning that depend more on the
context.
The recognition of utterances, and
recognizing the context in which
they are used.
Invisible meaning
In communication, we tend to
have shared assumptions, and this
is how we understand further
than the linguistic content of
words, expressions, and
utterances.
More is being communicated than
is said.
 Context
Is a fundamental element in communication and
understanding meaning. It refers to the information
that helps to make sense of the message.

Linguistic context Situational context

Words and sentencer Physical, social and cultural
01 02 environment in which
that follow a message.
communication occurs.
 Deixis
Use of words to indicate
persons, places and times in
foscourse
Personal pronouns Adverbs place/time

I Here

You There

He Now

Tomorrow
 Reference is known as the act
whereby a speaker uses language
to enable the listener to identify
something

reference Words themselves do not refer to

anything. People refer. For reference,
we can use proper nouns, pronouns,
and other nouns.

The range of reference is the

context in which those words
are used.
 inference
It is the act whereby the
listener/receptor identifies what or
who is the speaker/emitter referring
to.
Additional information that is
assumed by the listener
anaphora
For referencing something, we need an
antecedent who gives us a clue about what
we refer to. An antecedent gives an
anaphoric expression
1. We saw a funny home video about a
boy washing a puppy in a small bath.
2. The puppy started struggling and
shaking and the boy got really wet.
3. When he let go, it jumped out of the
bath and ran away.
 Presupposition
Assumptions or beliefs that a speaker assumes
to be true when communicating.

“John stopped “My brother lost

smoking” his wallet”
pragmatic 01
How speaker’s utterances

markers
are going to be interpreted?

Specific words that give a clue

02 about what is the pragmatic
intention in a statement.

e.g. well, I don´t know, I mean

03 Also known as filler words, in
some cases
Politeness
Linguistic and social strategies
used to show respect and
consideration for others in
communicacion
 Speech acts

Direct
Questioning, commanding,
Indirect
Requesting, asking for
promising, informing permission, suggestions
It is different to say:
ThankS for your
attention