How does pragmatics contribute to the study of meaning?

Philosophy Pragmatics Questions



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How does pragmatics contribute to the study of meaning?

Pragmatics contributes to the study of meaning by focusing on how context, social factors, and speaker intentions influence the interpretation and understanding of language. It recognizes that meaning is not solely determined by the words themselves, but also by the context in which they are used and the intentions of the speaker. Pragmatics explores how language users make inferences, convey implicatures, and interpret meaning beyond the literal level. It examines how context, such as the speaker's tone, gestures, and shared knowledge, can shape the meaning of utterances. By considering the pragmatic aspects of communication, the study of meaning becomes more comprehensive and accounts for the dynamic and contextual nature of language use.