Overview

Semantics is what the words mean. Pragmatics is what the speaker means. A: “Do you have a watch?” B: “It’s 5:30.” Semantically, B didn’t answer the question. Pragmatically, B understood A wanted the time.

Core Idea

Grice’s Maxims: We assume people are cooperating in conversation.

  1. Quantity: Say enough, but not too much.
  2. Quality: Tell the truth.
  3. Relation: Be relevant.
  4. Manner: Be clear.

Formal Definition (if applicable)

Implicature: Meaning that is suggested but not explicitly stated. “Nice weather” (when it’s raining) implies sarcasm.

Intuition

  • Speech Acts (Austin): Words can do things.
    • “I bet you $5.” (Making a bet).
    • “I pronounce you husband and wife.” (Creating a marriage).
    • “I apologize.” (Performing an apology).

Examples

  • Politeness: “Could you pass the salt?” is a command disguised as a question to be polite.
  • Deixis: Words that depend on context. “I am here now.” (Who is I? Where is here? When is now?).

Common Misconceptions

  • “It’s just reading between the lines.” (It’s a systematic set of rules we all follow unconsciously).
  • Presupposition: “Have you stopped beating your wife?” (Presupposes you were beating her).
  • Irony/Sarcasm: Saying the opposite of what you mean.

Applications

  • AI: Chatbots need pragmatics to not sound robotic.
  • Law: “I didn’t say that.” (But you implied it).

Criticism / Limitations

It’s hard to formalize. Context is infinite.

Further Reading

  • Levinson, Pragmatics
  • Austin, How to Do Things With Words