Name: Khadija Saghir
Roll no: 20
Major: Bs English language & literature
Course: Discourse Analysis
Session: 2023-27 (ssp)
Submitted to: Mam Hira
Pragmatics & Discourse Context
Pragmatics
Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that studies how language is used in
context to communicate effectively. It examines how speakers and listeners
use language to convey meaning beyond the literal interpretation of words.
Key Concepts in Pragmatics
Reference:
Reference refers to the relationship between a word or phrase and the
object, concept, or idea it represents. In pragmatics, reference is context-
dependent, meaning that the same word or phrase can refer to different
things depending on the situation.
Presupposition:
Presupposition refers to the assumptions or background knowledge that
speakers and listeners share when communicating. Presuppositions can be
linguistic, cultural, or contextual, and they play a crucial role in determining
the meaning of an utterance.
Implicature:
Implicature refers to the implied meaning of an utterance that goes beyond
its literal interpretation. Implicatures can be conveyed through tone of
voice, facial expressions, or linguistic cues, and they often rely on shared
knowledge and context.
Inference:
Inference refers to the process of drawing conclusions or making
deductions based on the information provided in an utterance. In
pragmatics, inference is a crucial aspect of communication, as it allows
speakers and listeners to fill in gaps in meaning and arrive at a shared
understanding.
•Discourse Context
Discourse context refers to the social, cultural, and situational factors that
influence the meaning of a text or conversation.
It includes factors such as:
The relationship between the speaker and listener
The purpose of the communication
The social and cultural norms governing the interaction
The physical and temporal setting of the interaction
•Relation between Pragmatics and Discourse Context
Pragmatics is deeply rooted in discourse context, as it recognizes that
meaning is not fixed or inherent in language, but rather is negotiated and
constructed through interaction. Pragmatics examines how speakers and
listeners use language to create meaning in context, taking into account the
social, cultural, and situational factors that shape the interaction.
Co-Text:
Co-text refers to the surrounding text or conversation that provides context
for an utterance or sentence. Co-text can include preceding or following
sentences, as well as non-linguistic elements such as gestures, facial
expressions, or tone of voice.
Expanding Context:
Expanding context refers to the broader social, cultural, and historical
context in which a text or conversation is situated.
It includes factors such as:
The social and cultural norms governing the interaction
The historical context in which the interaction takes place
The power dynamics and relationships between the speaker and
listener
By considering the expanding context, pragmatics recognizes that meaning
is not fixed or static, but rather is shaped by the complex and dynamic
social, cultural, and historical factors that surround the interaction.
References
Austin, J. L. (1962). How to Do Things with Words. Oxford University
Press.
Grice, H. P. (1975). Logic and Conversation. In Syntax and Semantics
(Vol. 3, pp. 41-58).
Levinson, S. C. (1983). Pragmatics. Cambridge University Press.
Searle, J. R. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of
Language. Cambridge University Press.
