Language and Situation

Question 1

Pragmatics

What is the theory of the ‘co-operative principle’?

Answer 1

Explains how and why conversations succeed rather than fail

Paul Grice

Question 2

Pragmatics

What is the politeness theory?

Answer 2

Explains how politeness in conversations works- built upon concept of ‘saving face’ and avoiding humiliation

Question 3

Pragmatics

What is positive politeness?

Answer 3

Our self-esteem- desie to be liked, loved and reliable

Question 4

Pragmatics

What is negative face?

Answer 4

Our desire to be free to act as we wish, unimpeded

Question 5

Pragmatics

What is conversational implicature?

Answer 5

Looks at indirect speech acts- know what the speaker means without them explicitly saying it

Question 6

Pragmatics

What is physical context?

Answer 6

Where conversation takes place, what actions occur and what objects are present

Question 7

Pragmatics

What is the epistemic context?

Answer 7

What speakers know about the world

Question 8

Pragmatics

What is linguistic context?

Answer 8

What has already been said in the utterance

Referring to as ‘it’ or ‘he/she’

Question 9

Pragmatics

What is the social context?

Answer 9

The social relationship among speakers and hearers

Question 10

Register

What are the 5 main types of register?

Answer 10

1. Frozen
2. Formal
3. Consultive
4. Casual
5. Intimate

Question 11

Register

What is the frozen register?

Answer 11

Used for very old pieces of discourse e.g. wedding vows, bible
This language hasn’t changed for a long time, so is therefore frozen

Question 12

Register

What is formal register?

Answer 12

Standardised versions of English- used in formal situations to address people in positions of authority/ respect

Question 13

Register

What is consultive register?

Answer 13

Expert- novice relationship between two people- inolves a tone of respect since advice is being sought

Question 14

Register

What is casual register?

Answer 14

Refers to informal speech between people who know each other well- used in every day language

Question 15

Register

What is intimate register?

Answer 15

Informal language used when talking to close friends, family or romantic partners

Question 16

What is the field and how does its’ context affect a conversation?

Use a school and subject setting as an example to explain

Answer 16

• Refers to context of subject matter
• Language choices will vary depending on things like curriculum area and topic being studied

Question 17

What is the tenor and how does its’ context affect the conversation?

Answer 17

• Relationships with others in a particular situation
• Language choices will depend on how well people know each other, how often they see each other and how they feel about each other

Question 18

What is the mode and what does it specifically look at?

Answer 18

• The channel of communication being used
• Looks at difference between the spoken mode and the written mode and the different roles these play in learning process