pragmatics
- 1The study of how language is used in social contexts, especially how meaning works there, including aspects beyond the text such as reference to the surrounding situation, phatic small talk, and nonverbal signals.
A word like "here" is a classic problem for pragmatics, since its meaning depends on where the speaker is standing.
For translators, pragmatics matters as much as grammar: a polite formula in one language can sound cold in another.
Note
The field picks up where the study of literal meaning leaves off, asking what speakers mean by their words in a given situation. Though it ends in -s, it takes a singular verb, like linguistics: pragmatics is a branch of linguistics. Specialists also stretch it to name particular effects, saying a word order expresses pragmatics such as contrast. Translators lean on it to carry tone and politeness across languages.
- 2Plural of pragmatic.
The crown issued a series of pragmatics limiting what merchants could charge for grain.
Historians have traced how the royal pragmatics on dress and luxury were ignored in the provinces.
Note
This plural belongs only to the noun for an official decree made public by those in authority; the adjective meaning practical never takes an -s. It looks identical to the study of language in use, but that is a singular field name, while these are countable orders: one pragmatic, several pragmatics issued by the crown.
pragmatics is a form of pragmatic
- Forms
- pragmaticpragmatics plural
- Spelling
- pragmatic → pragmatics: add -s
- Sound
- The ending sounds like /s/.
Use it in a sentence
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