W9 - Pragmatics

Question 1

What are pragmatics?

Answer 1

• The functional use of language in social contexts
• Inc:

how something is said

the intentions of the speaker

the relationship between speakers

cultural expectations

Question 2

What causes potential difficulties with pragmatics?

Answer 2

• Lack of vocabulary/limited word knowledge
• Limited world knowledge - socially lacking in experience
• Difficulty identifying what is relevent
• Difficulty creating a relevent context
• Difficulty judging the knowledge of the other person (presupposition)
• Perception (sensory or cognitive)

Question 3

In terms of pragmatics, what are the potential problems of a lack of theory of mind?

Answer 3

• Difficulty in predicting what people do
• Lack of shared reference and understanding what others find interesting
• Difficulty understanding a hidden meaning behind a statement
• Lack of awareness that a blunt remark could be hurtful to someone else

Question 4

What is SPCD?

Answer 4

Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder

• Not caused by problems with language but these may be caused by this

Question 5

What are the key symptoms of Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder (SPCD)?

Answer 5

• Difficulty using language for social purposes
• Difficulty changing language and communication according to different social contexts
• Difficulty following narrative rules (e.g. knowing they’re not being understood)
• Difficulties going beyond the explicit