pragmatics
Meaning: The branch of linguistics that studies how context, social norms, and speaker intention influence the interpretation of language beyond its literal meaning.
Pragmatics goes beyond what words mean in isolation to examine what speakers actually intend to communicate. It covers phenomena such as implicature, speech acts, politeness strategies, and conversational turn-taking. For example, 'Could you pass the salt?' is grammatically a question about ability, but pragmatically it functions as a polite request.
Examples
- Pragmatics helps explain why the question 'Can you open the window?' is understood as a request rather than a query about ability. 语用学有助于解释为什么'Can you open the window?'这个问题被理解为请求而非对能力的询问。La pragmática ayuda a explicar por qué la pregunta 'Can you open the window?' se interpreta como una petición y no como una consulta sobre la capacidad.語用論は、「Can you open the window?」という質問がなぜ能力の問いではなく依頼として理解されるかを説明するのに役立つ。화용론은 'Can you open the window?'라는 질문이 왜 능력에 대한 물음이 아니라 요청으로 이해되는지를 설명하는 데 도움이 된다.
- The study of pragmatics reveals how cultural background shapes the way people interpret indirect speech. 语用学研究揭示了文化背景如何塑造人们对间接言语的理解方式。El estudio de la pragmática revela cómo el trasfondo cultural condiciona la manera en que las personas interpretan el discurso indirecto.語用論の研究は、文化的背景が間接的な発話の解釈にどのような影響を与えるかを明らかにする。화용론 연구는 문화적 배경이 간접적인 발화의 해석에 어떤 영향을 미치는지를 밝혀낸다.
- Her research in pragmatics focused on how British speakers use understatement to convey criticism politely. 她在语用学方面的研究聚焦于英国人如何使用低调陈述来礼貌地表达批评。Su investigación en pragmática se centró en cómo los hablantes británicos emplean la atenuación para transmitir críticas de forma cortés.彼女の語用論研究は、イギリス人が控えめな表現を用いて丁寧に批判を伝える方法に焦点を当てていた。그녀의 화용론 연구는 영국인들이 완곡한 표현을 사용하여 정중하게 비판을 전달하는 방식에 초점을 맞추고 있었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Greek pragmatikos (relating to fact, practical), from pragma (deed, act). Adopted into linguistics in the mid-20th century, influenced by the work of philosophers such as Austin and Grice.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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