Pragmatics is the study of human communication. It is closely related to linguistics, but differs in that it focuses on language use and context rather than on syntax, semantics, or the meaning of individual words. It also studies the interaction between the speaker and hearer and how this affects the interpretation of a speech act.
There is no one definition of pragmatics, and the term is often used to refer to a set of principles that are meant to govern how people communicate with each other. These principles are generally thought to be socially constructed and may include such things as turn taking, greetings, eye contact, body language, and the way in which individuals are referenced in conversations. Some of these principles may be learned in early childhood, but others are more complex and may require explicit teaching.
The study of pragmatics is widely interdisciplinary, with many different fields contributing to it. These include linguistics, sociolinguistics, speech-language pathology, cognitive science, and anthropology. Pragmatics is also an applied discipline, with the aim of applying knowledge about human communication to various areas such as education, business, and the media.
While some scholars have argued that pragmatics should be considered a subfield of semiotics, others have asserted that it is a separate field that is distinct from other areas of study such as syntax, semantics, and morphology. Morris defines pragmatics as the study of the relationship between signs and their users, whereas other scholars have defined it as the study of the relationship between speakers and their communicative intentions.
As the field of pragmatics has evolved, so have the debates that surround it. Some of these debates concern the extent to which pragmatics should focus on convention versus context in the analysis of meaning, while others concern the nature of the processes that determine the appropriateness of particular forms of expression.
In the end, it is probably best to define pragmatics as a subfield of linguistics that focuses on the interaction between speakers and their listeners. This will ensure that the field continues to address issues of relevance and that it does not become confused with other subfields of linguistics such as semantics, morphology, or syntax.
To gain a better understanding of the evolution of pragmatics, this article has performed a scientometric analysis of the knowledge production in pragmatics using three major research databases: Scopus, WOS, and Lens. The analysis identifies the central authors, topics, and documents that are directing pragmatics research. It also highlights the significant increase in knowledge production on pragmatics over the past two decades. This increase can be attributed to the increasing interest in the study of topics such as conversational implicature and politeness theory. These topics are also attracting interdisciplinary attention and have been associated with other fields such as philosophy, sociology, and psychology.
