Pragmatics is the study of language from a user’s point of view. It focuses on the dynamic interplay among language, speaker intention and the communicative acts that produce and convey meanings. It also emphasizes the importance of context in constructing and understanding meanings. There are many types of pragmatics: formal and computational; theoretical and applied; intercultural; clinical; experimental and neuropragmatics, to name just a few.
In addition to grammatical rules, pragmatics considers the socially negotiated interpretations of words and sentences and how these are used in various situations. It is a study of communication as it unfolds in real time and the ways people communicate with one another. Pragmatics is a dynamic, fluid field that is constantly evolving and changing, but it is the study of what is being said and how it is being said in the context of the speaker’s intentions, goals, and situation.
One of the fundamental concepts of pragmatics is ‘indirect’ meaning, which refers to the implied messages that are contained in an utterance and the indirect actions that may accompany it. For example, in the play Othello, when Iago implies that Desdemona is not loyal to him, it means more than simply “I don’t like her.” It conveys a deeper, implicit message of betrayal and distrust.
The concept of indirect meaning is the foundation of communication and the reason why it is so important to understand the pragmatic features of a given speech act. Understanding these features is necessary to avoid communication breakdowns and misunderstandings, which are common in real-life language use.
In fact, a person’s ability to comprehend and interpret pragmatic features is often the cause of misunderstandings in a dialogue. This is true both between and within individuals. A person’s linguistic competence and cultural background influence how they interpret an utterance, but even within a group of people the same utterance will have different meanings.
People who are told they need to be more pragmatic tend to focus on realistic options and courses of action, rather than focusing solely on their ideals. However, there is a fine line between idealism and pragmatism and many people balance the two in their daily lives.
Despite the complexity of pragmatics, it is an integral part of human language and should be considered when studying the development of children’s communicative skills. Research shows that pragmatic competence begins to develop early and continues to grow throughout childhood, so it is vitally important to teach young children a rich language environment. This is especially important when teaching them the nuances of language and the subtleties of communication. It is through this kind of instruction that we can help them to develop the skills they need to be successful in their linguistic and interpersonal pursuits. This will lead to more productive conversations and a more meaningful life.
