Introducing Pragmatics In Use

Introducing Pragmatics in Use is a lively and accessible introduction to pragmatics which both covers theory and applies it to real spoken and written data. This textbook systematically draws on a number of different language corpora and the corresponding software applications. Its primary focus is the application of a corpus methodology in order to examine core component areas such as deixis, politeness, speech acts, language variation and register. The main goal of the book is to contextualise pragmatics in the study of language through the analysis of different language contexts provided by spoken and written corpora. Substantially revised and updated, this second edition covers a wider range of topics, corpora and software packages. It consistently demonstrates the benefits of innovative analytical synergies and extends this to how corpus pragmatics can be further blended with, for example, conversation analysis or variational pragmatics. The second edition also offers a new chapter specifically dedicated to corpus pragmatics which proposes a framework for both form-to-function and function-to-form approaches. The book also addresses the – sometimes thorny – area of the integration of the teaching of pragmatics into the language classroom. All chapters in the second edition include a number of cohesive, step-by-step tasks that can be done in small groups in class or can be used as self-study resources. A wide range of illustrative language samples drawn from a number of English language corpora, coupled with instructive tasks and annotated further reading sections, make this an ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate or postgraduate students of pragmatics, discourse analysis and corpus linguistics within applied languages / linguistics or TESOL programmes.

Introduction to Pragmatics guides students through traditional and new approaches in the field, focusing particularly on phenomena at the elusive semantics/pragmatics boundary to explore the role of context in linguistic communication. Offers students an accessible introduction and an up-to-date survey of the field, encompassing both established and new approaches to pragmatics Addresses the traditional range of topics – such as implicature, reference, presupposition, and speech acts – as well as newer areas of research, including neo-Gricean theories, Relevance Theory, information structure, inference, and dynamic approaches to meaning Explores the relationship and boundaries between semantics and pragmatics Ideal for students coming to pragmatics for the first time

This user-friendly introduction to a new ‘performative’ methodology in linguistic pragmatics breaks away from the traditional approach which understands language as a machine. Drawing on a wide spectrum of research and theory from the past thirty years in particular, Douglas Robinson presents a combination of ‘action-oriented approaches’ from sources such as J.L. Austin, H. Paul Grice, Harold Garfinkel and Erving Goffman. Paying particular attention to language as drama, the group regulation of language use, individual resistance to these regulatory pressures and nonverbal communication, the work also explains groundbreaking concepts and analytical models. With a key points section, discussion questions and exercises in every chapter, this book will be an invaluable resource to students and teachers on a variety of courses, including linguistic pragmatics, sociolinguistics and interpersonal communication.

Meaning in Interaction: An Introduction to Pragmatics is a comprehensive introductory text which discusses the development of pragmatics - its aims and methodology - and also introduces themes that are not generally covered in other texts. Jenny Thomas focuses on the dynamic nature of speaker meaning, considering the central roles of both speaker and hearer, and takes into account the social and psychological factors involved in the generation and interpretation of utterances. The book includes a detailed examination of the development of Pragmatics as a discipline, drawing attention to problems encountered in earlier work, and brings the reader up to date with recent discussion in the field. The book is written principally for students with no previous knowledge of pragmatics, and the basic concepts are covered in considerable detail. Theoretical and more complicated information is highlighted with examples that have been drawn from the media, fiction and real-life interaction, and makes the study more accessible to newcomers. It is an ideal introductory textbook for students of linguistics and for all who are interested in analysing problems in communication.

Those aspects of language use that are crucial to an understanding of language as a system, and especially to an understanding of meaning, are the acknowledged concern of linguistic pragmatics. This textbook provides a lucid and integrative analysis of the central topics in pragmatics - deixis, implicature, presupposition, speech acts, and conversational structure. A central concern of the book is the relation between pragmatics and semantics, and Dr Levinson shows clearly how a pragmatic approach can resolve some of the problems semantics have been confronting and simplifying semantic analyses. The exposition is always clear and supported by helpful exemplification. The detailed analyses of selected topics give the student a clear view of the empirical rigour demanded by the study of linguistic pragmatics, but Dr Levinson never loses sight of the rich diversity of the subject. An introduction and conclusion relate pragmatics to other fields in linguistics and other disciplines concerned with language usage - psychology, philosophy, anthropology and literature.

An Introduction to Pragmatics is designed for use in introductory courses in pragmatics (both undergraduate and graduate level) for students preparing to teach. By including the perspective of ESL and EFL educators, this book provides prospective teachers with an understanding of pragmatics that will help them: integrate the teaching of pragmatic competence in language programs and materials understand the problems learners have with comprehension of messages requiring cognitive processing beyond that of the spoken or written word evaluate textbooks and materials as well as assessment procedures for language proficiency assess the value of communicative language teaching practices assist learners in developing strategies to handle misunderstandings and other communication problems expand knowledge of how language is used in the world by people in everyday situations, including classrooms

This innovative, comprehensive course textbook uses a clinical approach to explore pragmatics and pragmatic language skills. Drawing on authentic, real-life examples of pragmatic breakdown in children and adults who have developmental or acquired language disorders, Louise Cummings expertly guides readers to core insights and principles for understanding where context and meaning in human communication meet. Key features include: Chapter-opening learning objectives and chapter-closing summaries Authentic illustrative cases of atypical pragmatic interaction Exercises for checking knowledge and understanding Annotated recommended further reading A detailed glossary of important terms in pragmatics and clinical linguistics Aimed equally at undergraduate and graduate students who are coming to pragmatics for the first time, the text discusses the key issues and concepts of this field in a fascinating new way. With a common, easy-to-follow structure across chapters and a wealth of pedagogical resources, this is an essential text for students of linguistics and applied linguistics, communication studies, speech-language pathology, psychology and cognitive science, and beyond.

Pragmatics Online examines the use and interpretation of language and communication in digitally mediated contexts. It provides insight into how meaning is communicated online, with a focus on how users negotiate and navigate the constraints and resources of social media sites and other online contexts. The book introduces key concepts in the study of digital contexts and online communication, and discusses how these can be understood from the perspective of pragmatics. Each chapter examines a different topic and includes an overview of key research alongside original pragmatic analyses of data. Topics include sharing and liking, emoji and emotions, memes, and clickbait. Kate Scott focuses on how ideas and topics from pragmatics can be applied to mediated contexts, irrespective of the particular media. The book is an essential guide to the pragmatics of online discourse and behaviour for students and researchers working in the areas of digital pragmatics, language and media, and English language, linguistics, and communication studies.