PRAGMATICS

The conduit metaphor is the idea that communication works like sending objects in a box. It makes it
seem like words are containers that hold meaning, and when we speak, we “send” those containers to
others, who then “receive” the meaning.

Why Does This Matter?

Many common phrases use this idea, like:

• She put her feelings into words.

• I couldn’t get my message across.

• That speech was full of meaning.

These phrases suggest that meaning is inside words, but that’s not how communication really works.

Is This Idea Correct?

Not completely. In real conversations, meaning isn’t just sent and received—it’s created together by
both the speaker and the listener. People understand words based on context, background
knowledge, and how they interpret things.

For example, if someone says, “It’s cold in here,” they might not just be stating a fact—they could be
hinting that they want the window closed. This shows that meaning isn’t just inside the words—it
depends on how people use and understand them.

So, while the conduit metaphor is a simple way to think about language, it doesn’t fully explain how
real communication works.

EXAMPLE: Oh wow! Nice sweater - it may sound sarcastic - depends on intonation etc

WHAT INFLUENCES COMMUNICATION?

- intonation
- gestures (rolling your eyes, middle finger etc)
- body language
- eye contact
- mimics
- attitude, mood of the speaker
- communication style (eg. While texting it is difficult to show the tone)
- relationships between ppl (ex. Inside jokes, attitude towards person)
- generation differences (youth use slang etc, older ppl may not understand it)
- education (different levels of knowledge: some words may be difficult for less educated ppl)
- knowledge of the language (fluency) while speaking with ppl from other countries
- Cultural differences - when we say „ how are u in” Poland - we’re interested in answer, while
in the USA it is a type of a greeting, not about the answer

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION: [Link]

Communication - transferring info, emotions, feelings from one person to another

1. Verbal communication - it involves language and words

- interpersonal - communication between 2 ppl, face to face
- Oral communication - spoken words
- Public communication - sending a message to a group of ppl
- n

2. Non-verbal communication - passive form of communication (gestures etc): nodding,

smiling, handshake
-
- paralanguage - pitch and intonation of the words
- haptics - interaction through the touch - expressing emotions through the touch eg:
handshake, hug

3. Written communication - letters, emails, messages

4. Visual communication - transmitting message through visuals: pictures, presentations,
videos, visuals etc.
5. Listening communication - kind of agreement that you listen to sb. Eg: nodding head that u
understood sth etc

1. Verbal Communication (Speaking & Listening)

✔ Advantages:

• Quick and direct

• Easy to explain or clarify

• Shows tone and emotions

✘ Disadvantages:

• Can be misunderstood if spoken unclearly

• Doesn’t always leave a record

• Hard to communicate well in noisy places

2. Non-Verbal Communication (Body Language, Gestures, Facial Expressions)

✔ Advantages:

• Works even without words (useful in different languages)

• Can add meaning to words (e.g., a smile makes words sound friendly)

• Helps show emotions clearly

✘ Disadvantages:

• Can be misunderstood if gestures mean different things in different cultures

 • Not useful if people can’t see each other (e.g., on the phone)

• Can give the wrong message if body language doesn’t match words

3. Written Communication (Text, Emails, Letters, Messages)

✔ Advantages:

• Keeps a record for future reference

• Can be edited before sending to avoid mistakes

• Good for detailed or formal communication

✘ Disadvantages:

• Lacks tone and emotions (can sound cold or rude)

• Takes longer to write and read than speaking

• Can be misunderstood if not written clearly

4. Visual Communication (Pictures, Charts, Graphs, Signs, Videos)

✔ Advantages:

• Easy to understand quickly

• Good for people who don’t speak the same language

• Helps explain complex ideas (e.g., maps, infographics)

✘ Disadvantages:

• Can be confusing if not designed well

• Some people may interpret visuals differently

• Not useful for deep or detailed communication

Pragmatics – Definition

Pragmatics is the study of how meaning is shaped by context in real-life communication. It looks at
how people understand language beyond just the words themselves, considering things like tone,
situation, and shared knowledge.

Aspects That Impact Pragmatics

1. Context – The situation, place, and time influence meaning (e.g., “It’s cold in here”
can be a simple statement or a request to close the window).
 2. Inferences – Listeners read between the lines to figure out meaning that isn’t directly
stated (e.g., “I have a lot of work” could mean “I can’t go out tonight”).

3. Relative Distance – The relationship between speakers changes communication. You

might speak formally with a boss but casually with a friend.

Pragmatics vs. Syntax

• Syntax is about the structure of sentences (grammar and word order).

• Pragmatics is about the meaning in context.

• Example: “Can you open the door?”

• Syntax: Correct sentence structure.

• Pragmatics: Understanding it as a request rather than a yes/no question.

Pragmatics vs. Semantics

• Semantics studies literal meaning (what words and sentences mean by themselves).

• Pragmatics studies intended meaning (how meaning changes in different situations).

• Example: “You’re on fire!”

• Semantics: Literally means someone is burning.

• Pragmatics: Could mean “You’re doing great!” (in a game or competition).

What Differentiates Pragmatics?

Pragmatics is different from syntax and semantics because it focuses on:

• How people use language in real situations (not just sentence rules or dictionary
meanings).

• How meaning depends on context, tone, and relationships rather than just words
themselves.

Regularity – Meaning and Aspects It Concerns !!

Regularity refers to patterns in how people behave and communicate based on social norms and
experience. It concerns:

1. Conduct (Social Behavior) – How people are expected to act in communication.

• Example: Saying “thank you” when receiving a gift.

2. Society & Cultural Norms – Different cultures have different rules for politeness,
gestures, and formal speech.

• Example: In Japan, bowing is a common greeting, while in the U.S., a handshake is

typical.
 3. Experience & Non-Linguistic Knowledge – Understanding comes from past
experiences and common knowledge.

• Example: If someone asks, “Do you have the time?”, you understand they want to
know the time, not whether you physically “own” it.

4. Offence & Sensitivity – Some words or actions might be offensive in certain cultures
but normal in others.

• Example: Using informal language with an elder might be disrespectful in some

cultures but normal in others.

Awkwardness in pragmatic terms happens when communication doesn’t align with expectations
based on social norms, context, or relationships, leading to confusion or discomfort. Here are a few
examples:

1. Misunderstanding Social Context

• Example: You’re at a formal dinner, and someone says, “So, when are you getting
married?” to a guest who just got divorced.

• Why it’s awkward: The question might seem rude or insensitive because of the
context—a sensitive topic like divorce is being discussed in an inappropriate setting, creating
discomfort.

2. Misreading Tone and Intent

• Example: A friend says, “Thanks a lot, that really helped,” but they say it sarcastically.

• Why it’s awkward: The tone doesn’t match the words, so the listener might be
confused or hurt, especially if they don’t recognize the sarcasm right away.

3. Inappropriate Familiarity

• Example: A junior employee calls their boss by their first name without asking for
permission.

• Why it’s awkward: In many professional settings, there’s an expectation of formality

between different levels of hierarchy. Using a first name too soon can feel disrespectful or out of
place, leading to awkwardness.

4. Using Humor in the Wrong Situation

• Example: Telling a joke about someone’s appearance in a serious meeting about

performance at work.

• Why it’s awkward: Humor is fine, but if it’s not aligned with the seriousness of the
situation, it can create discomfort, making everyone feel uneasy.

5. Failure to Recognize Social Cues

 • Example: A person continues talking about their personal problems when the other
person keeps looking at their watch or phone.

• Why it’s awkward: The speaker misses the non-verbal cue that the listener is losing
interest or feeling uncomfortable. This creates an awkward situation where one person isn’t aware
that the other wants to leave the conversation.

In all of these cases, pragmatic missteps lead to awkwardness because they ignore social
expectations or fail to properly read the context, tone, and relationship between the speakers.

DEXIS AND DISTANCE

EGOCENTRIC VIEW OF THE WORLD

 We are in the center of the world, everything is experienced in language
 Time and space experienced .... idk
 Subject always the first (doer of sth)

DEXIS -

PERSON DEXIS (who?)

 The speaker’s reference to himself
 I/me, we/us
 The speaker’s reference to the addressee(s)
 You (sg.), you (pl)
 The speaker’s reference to other persons and entities (neither speaker nor addressee)
 He/him, she/her, it/its, they/them

PLACE DEXIS (where?)

 Identifying entities
 This/these; that/those
 Informing about locations
 Here/there; above/below
 ‘’acknowledging’’ location
 Come/go
 Spatial Deictic System
 Proximal - here
 Distal - there

TIME DEXIS (when?)

 Before u => last year, yesterday, before
 Moment of utterance (u) => now, today, this afternoon
 After u => tomorrow, soon

DISCOURSE DEXIS
 Discourse - text you’re refering to
 ..

DIFFERENT WAYS OF PERCEIVING TIME

 SPEECH ACTS AND EVENTS

SPEECH ACTS - things we do with words (no participants)

 Apology
 Promise
 Order
 etc

SPEECH EVENTS - activity where participants try to arrive at some conclusion