Introduction to Pragmatics: Bridging the Gap Between Language and Meaning
1. Linguistics versus Pragmatics: Advances Towards Language in Use
Pragmatics is NOT interested in morphology; Pragmatics takes Morphology for granted. It is NOT interested in phonology: Pragmatics assumes that people know how to speak a language. It is NOT interested in syntax: Pragmatics assumes that people know how to organize sentences, but the way they do it has implications for communication. It is NOT interested in semantics. It is NOT interested in grammar: Pragmatics assumes that people
Read MoreContext and Figurative Language in Pragmatics
5) Contextual Sources in Communication
In conversational settings, listeners utilize various contextual sources to interpret meaning:
- (A) Encyclopedic Knowledge: This encompasses general knowledge about the world, cultural norms, social stereotypes, and common sense assumptions.
- (B) Information on the Speaker: Listeners consider specific knowledge about the speaker, including their likes, dislikes, and opinions.
- (C) Recent Actions: Information about recent events or actions, still fresh in the listener’
British Literature of the 1930s: A Turbulent Decade of Social and Political Upheaval
British Literature of the 1930s
Introduction
The 1930s in Great Britain was a decade marked by significant social, political, and economic upheaval. This turbulent backdrop had a profound impact on the literary landscape, shaping the themes, styles, and concerns of writers of the time.
The Shadow of Politics
As C. Wolfe aptly observed in his essay “The Leaning Tower” (1940), the political climate of the 1930s was impossible to ignore. The decade began with the Great Depression, which hit Britain hard,
Read MoreHistorical Materialism and Marx’s Political-Economic Theory
Historical Materialism
Historical Materialism is a theory that analyzes historical facts and produces generalizations. It’s empirical and aims to explain societal change and stability. This theory posits that an individual’s consciousness is not solely self-determined, but rather a product of their socio-economic conditions.
Historical materialism identifies different modes of production that have driven civilization’s progress. A mode of production describes how humans obtain necessities for survival.
Read MoreGenre, Language, and ESP: A Comprehensive Overview
Genre and ESP
The term genre was introduced in the field of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in 1981. It refers to communicative events such as seminar presentations, lectures, and essays. ESP genre studies are largely based on Swales’ work on discourse structure and linguistic features. The communicative purpose of a genre can evolve and may vary across cultures.
Genre, Discourse, and ESP
In ESP, genres are often analyzed through a series of ‘moves,’ which can contain multiple ‘steps.’ This is
Read MoreWord Formation in Linguistics: A Comprehensive Guide
The Structure of the Lexical Word
Lexeme
A lexeme, or radical/root component, is required and contains the basic meaning of the word.
Markers
None, one, or more markers or derivative affixes are added to the lexeme and modify the basic meaning.
Grammatical Morpheme
A grammatical morpheme occurs only in the grammatical categories that present a formal variation.
Morphology and Lexicology
Morphology is the branch of linguistics that deals with grammatical morphemes and verb (conjugation) and noun inflections.
Read More