Pragmatics

PragmaticsThe term was first used by Charles Morris (1938)
Semiotics
Pragmatics, 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 - EnglishVIII - Discourse Analysis - Profª Kátia ModestoValério

Components of
Speech
Dell 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)
KEY (tone, manner or spirit, e.g. sarcastic, dramatic, etc)
I NSTRUMENTALITIES (code)
NORMS (of interaction and of interpretation)
G ENRE (poem, sermon, chat, etc)

Pragmatic Meaning
Semantic Meaning
Fixed, context-free
In context

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.

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.

Semantic Meaning
+
Co-operative
Principles
+
Knowledge of the
world
=
Pragmatic Meaning
Pragmatic
Meaning

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

Flouting
the Maxims
Figures of Speech
Hyperboles
Metaphors
Irony
Sarcasm
Floutings convey
Social Meaning
Speaker’s attitudes

Conversational Principles:
Politeness
Robin Lakoff, 1973
Don’t impose
Give options
Make your receiver feel good
Politeness
Brevity
Truth

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?

To Act Efficiently
Acknowledge other
people’s
To Maintain
Social
Relationship
FACE
Goffman, 1964

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 FACE
Brown and Levinson,
1978

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 FACE
Negative
Politeness
Positive
Politeness

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!”

Pragmatics

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