Pragmatic is a way of looking at things that is based on practical considerations rather than abstract principles. For example, a pragmatic individual would take into account the consequences of their actions for everyone involved when making decisions. This may mean that they are willing to compromise in order to achieve their goals. Pragmatism has a long history in philosophy, including the work of Charles Peirce, William James, and John Dewey.
One of the main branches of pragmatics is a theory of how language is used in context. This branch is called linguistic pragmatics. It looks at the relationship between a speaker’s communicative intention and their use of language. It also examines the effects of the specific social and cultural context on the interpretation of an utterance.
In addition to examining the meaning of words, linguistic pragmatics also considers how they are conveyed by other means such as body language and tone of voice. For instance, when someone asks you “How are you?” they are usually not seeking a detailed explanation of your health. This question is more of a ritualized form of communication that serves to establish rapport. Pragmatics helps us understand these types of utterances and their implications.
A second branch of pragmatics is pragmatic theory, which focuses on the underlying premise of how we interpret an expression from the perspective of the speaker. For example, a mother who asks her daughter to wash dishes might not be asking for the child’s help, but rather to reassure her that she is okay after having an argument with her spouse. This concept is referred to as the ‘pragmatic intrusion’ in the theory.
Other branches of pragmatics include: formal and computational pragmatics, theoretical and applied, and intercultural and neuropragmatics. The field of pragmatics is highly interdisciplinary and combines the study of language with psychology, sociology, and culture.
The word pragmatic is often mispronounced, with some people even using the incorrect pronunciation in written documents. To avoid confusion, most people will pronounce it ‘pragmatic’ or ‘pragmatical.’ This is to distinguish it from the related word pragmatic, which describes a person’s approach to life. A pragmatic person is able to see the big picture and is able to make decisions that will have positive consequences for everyone involved. For example, a pragmatic person would know that complying with the law of war does not diminish the chances of winning a war. The pragmatic approach is also sometimes favored in business when a decision needs to be made quickly. For example, a company might settle a lawsuit for damages instead of going to trial and risking losing the case. This is considered a pragmatic strategy because the outcome will most likely be more beneficial to the corporation. The more cautious and idealistic individual will be less successful in this type of situation. This is because pragmatic individuals are more concerned with the results of their efforts than they are with a moral or ethical ideal.
