Pragmatics
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1) Pragmatics refers to language use in context and how speakers communicate intentions and understand others' intentions based on social and cultural norms. It looks at language beyond just grammar and vocabulary. 2) Examples of pragmatics include interpreting implied meanings, understanding how the same words can mean different things in various contexts, and how sociocultural norms influence language use. 3) Incorporating pragmatics into language teaching involves activities like role plays, discussions of sociocultural differences, and raising students' awareness of pragmatic features of the target language.
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Pragmatics
- 2. Why Pragmatics?Defined as “language in use” to communicate intentions and understand others’ intentionsEncompasses language at linguistic level but also, social and cultural levelReflects an emphasis on language functions of ACTFL guidelines/Standards
- 3. Terms and ScopeInterpretation of intentions; levels of meaning and functionExample: In your home: “It’s hot in here” – (implication: turn on air) but would be different if in libraryCan anyone come up with a different example?
- 4. Sociocultural NormsLet’s try a role playDivide into pairs.First Person A will read the screen and then when indicated Person B will read what’s on the screen. Let’s get started…
- 5. Person ARole PlayPerson A: You have just invited your friend to a special fundraising gala put on by the Young Professionals club in your city. The event is “black tie” and includes appetizers. Tickets are $75. You try to convince your friend at attend, even though s/he does not like formal gatherings.
- 6. Person BPerson B: Your friend is mover and shaker in your city and always wants to be part of the crowd. S/he wants to see and be seen. S/he invites you to an event. You have never been to a black tie event and really don’t want to go. You agree to attend the gala only if your friend will help you to find an outfit to wear and not abandon you during the gala.
- 7. DebriefWhat kinds of sociocultural norms do you think might have been operating in the role play you just participated in?
- 8. Speech ActsDefn: communicative acts that convey an intended language function. Examples: requests, apologies, suggestions, commands, offers, and appropriate responses to those acts.
- 9. Your turn….
- 10. Face Threatening ActsThese acts can make someone possibly lose face, or damage it in some wayOften softened by positive (please) or negative (I know this is a terrible imposition) politeness
- 11. Reflect and DiscussThink about a situation you may have encountered in learning another language in which you either made a mistake that caused a misunderstanding of intentions (or in which the native speaker caused you to misunderstand his/her intentions). Was it due to a lack of grammar/vocabulary, mispronunciation, or an error in speech act? Did it cause a threat to someone's face? How was the situation resolved?
- 12. Cross Cultural InformationWhat might be going on in this dialogue? What linguistic choices are made?Susan: Yang, it’s good to see you again. How do you like your new job?Yang: It’s a very nice place to work. I’m very happy.S: We miss you.Y: How is everything at B&G?S: You know: the usual. Aren’t you glad you left?Y: How are Jan and David?
- 13. AppropriatenessAppropriateness of a speech act is measured against sociocultural norms
- 14. Reflect and DiscussThink about a sociocultural norm that differs between the target language that you teach and that of the first language of your students. Jot down an example of how you would illustrate the difference to your students, either explicitly or by letting them guess the difference themselves (implicitly).
- 15. How to incorporate more pragmatics into the classroom?Contextualized language practice in situations (role play, situation cards, etc.)Focus on dialogueMetapragmatic discussionAwareness of sociocultural norms
- 16. Focus on dialogue They are valuable because they…Imply a wider scope of language practice, at sentence levelMove from word to phrase to longer unitsEmphasize what the listener says in reaction > co-constructing talkIllustrate sociocultural differences in dialogue
- 17. Formulas – Formulaic ExpressionsIn the US …..Thank you (with response “you bet”)Drop by sometime Asking how you are doing (usually meaningless)Complimenting someone (just to have something to say)Can you come up with some other examples?Do we teach these variations? Do we teach what people say? How do we incorporate these variations in the L2 classroom?
- 18. Metapragmatic DiscussionOccurs when the learners and instructor engage in a dialogue about pragmatic expression that they have just seen and heardPurpose: point out and make students aware of pragmatic features. What is the difference in meaning?A) Will you fix my computer? B) Would you fix my computer? C) When you get a chance, would you mind fixing my computer? D) I would like you to fix my computer please.Which one is the strongest? most polite? least polite?
- 19. Awareness of sociocultural normsWhat does the expression “Make yourself at home” mean to you?Discuss expectations, politeness, etc.
- 20. Teachability of PragmaticsShould we teach pragmatics?When should pragmatics be taught?Are pragmatic tasks appropriate for beginning and advanced levels? Why? Why not? How might these differ?
- 21. Reflect and DiscussFinally, reflect on the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century and whether or not they reflect pragmatics at all. Recall that the Standards include:Communication: real lifeCulture: understandingConnections: with other subject areasComparisons: compare and contrastCommunities: global societyDo pragmatics fit with any of these?
- 22. For next timePrepare Culture moduleReflection topic #9 Note: Portfolio 2 due (week of) Nov. 2Note: Observation 3 due (week of) Nov. 16
Editor's Notes
- #5: Role PlayPerson A: You have just invited your friend to a special fundraising gala put on by the Young Professionals club in your city. The event is “black tie” and includes appetizers. You try to convince your friend at attend, even though s/he does not like formal gatherings.Person B: Your friend is mover and shaker in your city and always wants to be part of the crowd. S/he wants to see and be seen. S/he invites you to an event. You have never been to a black tie event and really don’t want to go. You agree to attend the gala only if your friend will help you to find an outfit to wear and not abandon you during the gala.
- #13: Yang changes the subject rather than having to put down company.
- #14: This is the example given in the module but it would be fun to try in class. Try to role play this with two non native speakers of English – ask class to note expressions of positive and negative politeness, appropriateness, hedging, etc.Handout to 2 people on piece of paper. Have them prepare outside while asking class what to look for:Character A (language learner): Your friend has a great chicken recipe that you just love. You are inviting your boss and his wife to your house for dinner to talk about some private things. You really want to get this recipe from your friend but you also can't invite her to join you, even though it is your turn to have her over to eat. How do you get this recipe from her?Character B (native speaker): Your friend always asks you for favors, but almost never compensates in return. He owes you at least two or three dinners at his house. This time, he asks you for something and you want to try to convince him to invite you to his house.