PRAGMATICS

SOCIOLINGUISTICS
 PRAGMATICS- DEFINITION
• Pragmatics is branch of linguistics that study
about meaning in context.
• Pragmatics is a study of the relationship
between words and users of the words.
 Dimensions of Pragmatics
• Pragmatic is talking about the interpretation
of the words and the utterances and trying to
read what people mean by the utterances
• For example : If someone says “ May I have a
glass of water? Then the listener may have an
interpretation that the speaker is thirsty.

• Utterances : set of phrases, intentional action

 Dimensions of Pragmatics
• Pragmatics is study of contextual meaning
• For example : Someone says “ Hi, how are
you”? Then other answers “ ah lovely weather
today!”
• ( Even though it is grammatically correct, but it
doesn’t fit the context and the situation”)
 Dimensions of Pragmatics
• Pragmatics is the study of how more gets
communicated that is said ( Listener have to
investigated about “ Invisible meaning”)
• For example : If someone ask “ Please close
the window”
• The invisible meaning is that the person is
freezing or that it is too noisy outside
depending on the situation
 SPEECH ACTS (TINDAK TUTUR)
• Speech act is any of the acts that may be
performed by a speaker in making an
utterance, as stating, asking, requesting,
advising, warning or persuading.
• Considered in terms of the content of the
message, the intention of the speaker, and the
effect on the listener
 SPEECH ACTS (TINDAK TUTUR)
• Speech acts required not only about the
knowledge of language , but appropriateness
in language use is more important in within a
given culture.
• We need to know when to speak, what to talk
about whom, when, where , in what manner
 Example of “ speech acts”
• “sorry”
• “thanks”
 Types of SPEECH ACTS
There are 3 types of speech acts by J.L Austin :
1. LOCUTIONARY ACTS
• Act of making a meaningful utterance
• When we PRODUCE an utterance, that is
called locutionary act.
For example :
Speaker : “ it is raining outside”
( that is the literal meaning)
 Types of SPEECH ACTS
2. ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
• Speaker’s INTENTION in delivering an utterance
• For example : “ It is raining outside”
The utterance would mean :
• Speaker wishes or wants the hearer to use an
umbrella if she/he goes out
• Speaker wants you to not to go out because it
is still raining outside.
 Types of SPEECH ACTS
3. PERLOCUTIONARY ACT
• Action or state of mind brought about or by, or as a
consequence of saying something
• Effect ( result) of the utterance on the hearer,
depending on specific situation
• For example : “ it is raining outside”
• What is the perlocutionary effect?
• The hearer may use the umbrella when goes out
• The hearer may stay a while waiting for the rain to stop
 Performatives
Performatives are sentences that denote or lead
to the action.
• Example : There are the blue trash bin says
“recycle “
• (it is the performatives that requesting people
to put their trash into the proper place”
 MAXIMS
• The connection between what is said and
what it meant.
• There are 4 maxims :
• Maxim of quality
• Maxim of quantity
• Maxim of relevance
• Maxim of manner
 Maxim of quality
• Speak truthfully and never contribute false
belief
• Example :
Violation : George failed his exams. He’s very
smart.
• Violation of this maxims can lead to sarcaticm
or false belief / lies
 Maxim of quantity
• Do not contribute more or less than required
Example :
• Violation : A. They have two dogs
B. Will they buy a third?
A. Oh no! They already have a third
 Maxim of relevance
• Be relevant
Example
• Violation : A. How did he sing ?
B. He looked wonderful.
 Maxim of manner
• Avoid ambiguity and obscurity
• Be brief and orderly

Violation : can you please bring me my book in

the class if you have time?
 IMPLICATURE
• Hidden meaning
• Sometimes it is used to be rude without being
directly rude

For example : A. How is your teacher?

B. “ She’s very a nice teacher”
 IMPLICATURE
• Another example :
A : How do I look today ?
B : Your shoes are very nice ?