Chapter 9: Pragmatics and Discourse
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Andreas H. Jucker
Abstract
Pragmatics studies the processes of language use, while discourse analysis is devoted to its product, i.e. discourse. Pragmatics can be understood in a narrow sense focussing on cognitive-inferential aspects of information processing, and it can be understood in a wider sense in which it also includes social aspects of interaction. In historical pragmatics, the former conceptualization lies behind work on pragmatic explanations in language change, while the latter conceptualization studies earlier language use from a social and interactional perspective, including such aspects as inserts (e.g. interjections and discourse markers), speech acts, and terms of address. Discourse, as the product of language use, can be seen as a stretch of conversation (dialogue) or as a domain of communication. In the former conceptualization, research focuses on the structural properties of the dialogue, and in the latter, it deals with the linguistic practices pertaining to particular fields of knowledge or interaction, e.g. courtroom discourse, the discourse of science, and news discourse.
Abstract
Pragmatics studies the processes of language use, while discourse analysis is devoted to its product, i.e. discourse. Pragmatics can be understood in a narrow sense focussing on cognitive-inferential aspects of information processing, and it can be understood in a wider sense in which it also includes social aspects of interaction. In historical pragmatics, the former conceptualization lies behind work on pragmatic explanations in language change, while the latter conceptualization studies earlier language use from a social and interactional perspective, including such aspects as inserts (e.g. interjections and discourse markers), speech acts, and terms of address. Discourse, as the product of language use, can be seen as a stretch of conversation (dialogue) or as a domain of communication. In the former conceptualization, research focuses on the structural properties of the dialogue, and in the latter, it deals with the linguistic practices pertaining to particular fields of knowledge or interaction, e.g. courtroom discourse, the discourse of science, and news discourse.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Chapter 1: Introduction 1
- Chapter 2: Periodization in the History of the English Language 8
- Chapter 3: Phonology 36
- Chapter 4: Prosody 57
- Chapter 5: Morphology 77
- Chapter 6: Syntax 102
- Chapter 7: Semantics and Lexicon 123
- Chapter 8: Idioms and Fixed Expressions 140
- Chapter 9: Pragmatics and Discourse 165
- Chapter 10: Onomastics 185
- Chapter 11: Orthography 200
- Chapter 12: Styles, Registers, Genres, Text Types 218
- Chapter 13: Standards in the History of English 238
- Index 253
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Chapter 1: Introduction 1
- Chapter 2: Periodization in the History of the English Language 8
- Chapter 3: Phonology 36
- Chapter 4: Prosody 57
- Chapter 5: Morphology 77
- Chapter 6: Syntax 102
- Chapter 7: Semantics and Lexicon 123
- Chapter 8: Idioms and Fixed Expressions 140
- Chapter 9: Pragmatics and Discourse 165
- Chapter 10: Onomastics 185
- Chapter 11: Orthography 200
- Chapter 12: Styles, Registers, Genres, Text Types 218
- Chapter 13: Standards in the History of English 238
- Index 253
