Pragmatics

Observations of language use/context

Speech Acts

What is it?

-The study of how language is affected by the context in which it occurs

-The relationship between the speakers in the conversation or the immediately preceding utterances in a text

Conversational Maxims

-Distinct from grammar (language structure)

-Language use

1) Sentences can imply information that is not actually stated

2) We can do things by uttering them in sentences, as well as say things

3) The nature of the participants in a verbal exchange can determine the effect of what is actually said

4) A correct answer to a question is not necessarily appropriate

5) Speakers don't always mean exactly what they say

All of these are pragmatic: they have to do with the way we use language to communicate in a particular context rather than the way language is structured internally

Implicature

When an utterance implies something that is not stated

Example: John- "Mary, Uncle Chester is coming over for dinner tonight. Mary- "I guess I'd better hide the liquor"

Mary's utterance raises the implicature that 1) Uncle Chester has a drinking problem or 2) he is offended by liquor, but she doesn't say either of those exact words

Maxim of Quantity:

Maxim of Quality:

Maxim of Relation:

Maxim of Manner:

Illocutionary Acts

Locutionary Acts

Insert text

Help explain how language users are able to use context to interpret utterances- to "do" things with words and to "say" things without actually saying them