PRAGMATICS
2
PRAGMATICS
By the end of this class you will able to
know.
Understanding Language in Context.
How we use language in real-life
situations
Pragmatics.
The history of pragmatic.
Symantec & pragmatics
What is pragmatics
It is about how we use words to communicate
with others.
It is the study of how we understand and use
language in real-life situations. Sometimes,
words have a different meaning depending on
who is speaking, where they are, and what
is happening around them.
It's cold in here.
HISTORY OF THE PRAGMATICS
1. When Did Pragmatics Appear?
It was emerged in the 20th century,
particularly in the 1930s and 1940s.
2. Where Did Pragmatics Appear?
It developed primarily in Europe and the
United States. It came from ancient Greece
(e.g., Aristotle), but modern pragmatics evolved
within linguistics and philosophy in England,
Germany, and the U.S.
• 3. Who were the Pioneers of Pragmatics?
Several scholars contributed to the development of
pragmatics, including:
• Charles Sanders Peirce (1839–1914) – American philosopher,
founder of pragmatism.
• Ferdinand de Saussure (1857–1913) – Swiss linguist,
introduced the idea of language as a system of signs.
• Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) – Austrian-British
philosopher, focused on language games and meaning in
use.
• J.L. Austin (1911–1960) – British philosopher, introduced
Speech Act Theory (how words perform actions).
• Paul Grice (1913–1988) – British philosopher, introduced
Conversational Implicature (how meaning depends on
context).
WHY IS PRAGMATICS IMPORTANT?
📌 Helps us understand meaning beyond
words.
📌 Helps us use language politely.
📌 Helps us understand jokes, sarcasm, and
indirect meanings.
HOW IS A MESSAGE UNDERSTOOD?
8
Meanings of the words
The context in which they occur
Some pre existing knowledge of what would be a likely
message / writer or speaker’s intention
TYPES OF ACTS 9
Locutionary Act
This is just the actual words or sentence that someone says.
Example: Please do the dishes.
Illocutionary Act (The Speaker's Intention)
This is why the speaker said those words — their purpose or intention.
Example: When someone says, "Please do the dishes," their intention might be:
Perlocutionary Act (The Effect on the Listener)
This is about what happens after the listener hears the words. It's the result of what
was said.
Example: If someone hears "Please do the dishes"
Real-Life Example
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•Locutionary Act: A mother says, "Turn
off the TV!"
•Illocutionary Act: Her intention is to ask
her child to stop watching TV.
•Perlocutionary Act: The child hears her,
gets up, and turns off the TV.
TYPES OF CONTEXT IN PRAGMATICS
1.Physical Context
Refers to the setting or environment where communication takes
place. For example, saying "It's cold in here" in a classroom might
mean someone wants the window closed.
2.Linguistic Context
This is the language surrounding a particular word or phrase. For
instance, the word "bank" could mean a financial institution or the
side of a river, depending on the sentence.
3.Situational Context
Focuses on the specific situation in which communication happens,
including the relationship between speakers, their roles, and
4. Cultural Context
Involves the shared beliefs, norms, and values
of a group. For example, certain gestures or
phrases might mean different things in different
cultures.
5. Cognitive Context
This relates to the knowledge and assumptions
that both the speaker and listener have.
6. Social Context
Refers to the social roles and relationships
between people communicating. How you speak
to a friend differs from how you’d speak to a
THANK
YOU
Bawar M. Qadir
