122052 PS PS Linguistics (BEd) (2024S)

Pragmatics is the study of language in use, focusing on how context shapes the understanding of meaning “as communicated by a speaker (or writer) and interpreted by a listener (or reader)” (Yule 1996: 3). This course draws on contextualization cues, which serve as signaling mechanisms employed by interactants to convey and interpret meaning behind their words. Contextualization cues entail “verbal and nonverbal, segmental and nonsegmental, prosodic, paralinguistic and other (cues)” (Gumperz 2001: 223), that “steer the interpretation of the words they accompany” (Auer 1992: 3).
For example, when the speaker utters "Nice job" with a warm and enthusiastic tone, accompanied by a genuine smile, relaxed posture, and open body language, it signals positive reinforcement, where the speaker genuinely praises the effort or achievement. On the other hand, when the speaker utters "Nice job" with a flat and sarcastic tone, accompanied by a raised eyebrow, a smirk, or closed body language like crossed arms, it signals a discrepancy between the verbal message and the speaker’s true sentiment. These contextualization cues suggest that the speaker does not genuinely believe the job was well done.

By the end of the course, students will:
• develop a comprehensive understanding of Pragmatics, exploring the dynamics of language in use
• analyze and interpret verbal contextualization cues (e.g., deixis, discourse markers) and nonverbal contextualization cues (e.g., proxemics, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, posture)
• explore the role of indexicality in language and its implications for interpretation
• apply the knowledge gained to real-world examples and case studies

Additionally, the students will learn how to find relevant literature on a specific research topic/question, critically analyze and reflect on existing research in the field, and gain first experience in planning, conducting, and writing up a small-scale linguistic research project