Pragmatics
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Transcript of Pragmatics
PragmaticsThe term was first used by Charles Morris (1938)
SemioticsPragmatics, together
with Syntax and Semantics, is part of Semiotics (The study
of SIGNS)
Syntax – The study of signs in relation to one another.
Semantics – The study of signs in relation to their referents.
Pragmatics – The study of signs in relation to their users.
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Components of
SpeechDell Hymes
(1962) described the
characteristics of the context of situation which would influence
speech production. He
represented these features mnemonically
by means of the word
SPEAKING.
He also introduced the
notion of communicative
competence.
SETTING (where the interaction takes place)
PARTICIPANTS (those involved in the interaction)
E ND (the purpose of the interaction)
ACT SEQUENCE (message form and content)
K EY (tone, manner or spirit, e.g. sarcastic, dramatic, etc)
I NSTRUMENTALITIES (code)
NORMS (of interaction and of interpretation)
G ENRE (poem, sermon, chat, etc)
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Pragmatic Meaning
Semantic MeaningFixed, context-free
In context
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
The Cooperative Principle
Paul Grice, a philosopher, tried to explain why we are able to interpret utterances which mean something
completely different from their literal meaning.
He proposed that we cooperate with each other to achieve meaning. We do that by assuming we follow
certain principles or maxims.
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
The Cooperative Principle Paul Grice, 1975
Maxim of Quality: Try to make your contribution one that is true
Maxim of Quantity: Give the right amount of information
Maxim of Relation: Be relevant
Maxim of Manner: Be clear
Do not say what you believe to be false.
Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence.
Make your contributions as informative as is required.
Do not make your contributions more informative than is required.
Avoid obscurity of expression; avoid ambiguity; avoid unnecessary prolixity; be orderly.
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Semantic Meaning
+
Co-operative Principles
+
Knowledge of the world
=
Pragmatic Meaning
Pragmatic
Meaning
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Coming to Terms with the Maxims
Be true
Be brief
Be clear
Sometimes the maxims lead us in different directions. We decide
which maxim should override the others having the context of
situation in mind
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Flouting
the Maxims Figures of Speech
HyperbolesMetaphorsIrony
Sarcasm
Floutings convey Social Meaning
Speaker’s attitudes
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Conversational Principles: Politeness
Robin Lakoff, 1973
Don’t imposeGive optionsMake your receiver feel good
Politeness
Brevity
Truth
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Modifying
Mitigation (decreasing force)
Aggravation (increasing force)
“Turn that bloody racket down!”
Requesting – You want to ask your cousin, Fiona, to turn the TV down.
“Turn it down.”
“Could you turn it down a bit, please, it’s rather loud.”
“Fiona, could you turn that telly down for a bit. Please!” Are you deaf?
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
To Act Efficiently
Acknowledge other people’s
To Maintain Social
Relationship
FACEGoffman, 1964
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Avoid intruding each other’s territory (physical territory, a particular field of
knowledge, a friendship)
Seek to enlarge the territory of others (make the other person feel good)
To Maintain Social Relationship
NEGATIVE FACE
POSITIVE FACEBrown and Levinson,
1978Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Speech Acts which intrude each other’s territory require redressive action of the participants’ Face.
Redressive action directed to the participants’
Face-threatening Acts
NEGATIVE FACE POSITIVE FACENegative Politeness
Positive Politeness
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério
Requesting – You want to ask your cousin, Fiona, to turn the TV down.
“Turn it down.”
Doing an FTA
Negative Politeness
Positive Politeness
“Could you turn it down a bit, please, it’s rather loud.”
“Fiona, could you turn that telly down for a bit. Please!”
Universidade Federal Fluminense - English VIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia Modesto Valério