Pragmatic

Question 1

Pragmatics

Answer 1

the study of linguistic meaning in context
pragmatics is interested in how language is used

Question 2

What is the difference between pragmatic and semantics

Answer 2

the semantics studies the meaning of words and their meaning without the emphase on the context (more systematised)

Question 3

Why is language ambiguous?

Answer 3

Because the meaning of words, phrases, sentences may
vary according to the situations.

Question 4

What is the “code model” of communication

Answer 4

Speaker : has a thought, encode it, give the message (speak)
Hearer : hear the message, decode it, has a thought

Question 5

Why is the code model too simple?

Answer 5

• It neglects the role of context
• meanings are not “in the words” only.
• It neglects the role of inference

Question 6

Inference

Answer 6

hearers figuring out what speakers meant althought they didn’t literally say it.
we say the message is “enriched” by the listener.

Question 7

Give an exemple of an interlocutor inferring a message

Answer 7

someone says “it’s hot in here”. The interlocutor understand they expect them to open the window.

Question 8

According to pragmatic what is important in a language?

Answer 8

• knowing how to encode messages to transmit them
• meaning is contextually bound
• conversation is a collaborative activity

Question 9

What are the important elements to define the context of a conversation?

Answer 9

• Physical environment
• Participants
• Social setting
• Prior discourse
• Cultural norms and excpectations

Question 10

Prior discourse

Answer 10

things one knows their interlocutor know or don’t

Question 11

Give an exemple of the importance of cultural norms and expectations

Answer 11

In France, the teacher calls us by our first name but we don’t call them by their first name
=> might be different in another country.

Question 12

“The interlocuteur often infers the meaning of the message”
what does “infers” mean here

Answer 12

deduces

Question 13

Is the use of inference rare?

Answer 13

No, it’s the norm, not the exception.

Question 14

Locutionary act

Answer 14

“what is said” the literal meaning of the words

Question 15

Illocutionary act

Answer 15

what the speaker wants to convey with these words

Question 16

Direct speech act
Give an exemple

Answer 16

Locution and Illocution coincide (You say just what you mean.)
> I hereby pronounce you husband and wife

Question 17

Indirect speech act
Give an exemple

Answer 17

Locution and Illocution differ from one another
Could you wash the dishes
(what is meant = go wash the dishes)

Question 18

is stating facts an important function of language in use?

Answer 18

No, it turns out to be a very minor function of language in use.

Question 19

Constative utterances

Answer 19

Constatives are propositions which can be stated positively or negatively, they are statements of facts which could be right or wrong.
=> mostly informative
e.g. It’s raining

Question 20

Performative utterances

Answer 20

• performatives are formulated to achieve something
• saying it means doing it
• always in the first person singular and in the simple present
  e.g. I apologise

Question 21

Illocutionary force

Answer 21

= the speaker’s intention in producing that utterance
e.g. It’s raining = take your umbrella

Question 22

Perlocutionary act

Answer 22

the effect that the speech has on the context participants
= what is achieved as a result of the utterance
e.g. “It’s raining” > the interlocutor stays at home

Question 23

Analyse “Open the window”

Answer 23

Locutionary effect = John told me to open the window
Illocutionary effect = John suggested that I open the window
Perlocutionary effect = John had me open the window

Question 24

Analyse “There is a dog in the field”

Answer 24

Locutionary effect = The speaker says there is a dog in the field
Illocutionary effect = Be careful, be aware of the dog
Perlucutionary effect = I decide to not go near the field

Question 25

What is the cooperative principle of Grice

Answer 25

All speakers design their utterances in accordance with certain norms of talk and can excpect everyone to do so.

Question 26

What are the four maxims of language

Answer 26

• Quantity
• Relevance
• Manner
• Quality

Question 27

Maxim of quantity

Answer 27

Say enough, but not too much

Question 28

Maxim of quality

Answer 28

Say what you believe to be true
> telling the truth is the default, if not communication would make little sense

Question 29

Maxim of relevance

Answer 29

Be relevant
e.g. Do you have any questions
The answer expected is “yes” or “no”

Question 30

Maxim of manner

Answer 30

be clear, concise, orderly

Question 31

Maxim hedges

Answer 31

Expressions the speaker used because they perceive these principles may be in danger.
e.g Quality= I’m not sure..
Quantity= to cut a long story short…
Relevance= anyway, not to change the subject..
Manner= This may be a bit confused…