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A Highlight on Pragmatics Pininta V.S. – A Highlight On Pragmatics A HIGHLIGHT ON PRAGMATICS Pininta Veronika Silalahi INTRODUCTION pragmatics, because this field of linguistics Pragmatics is a relatively late has been so charming and appealing to so comer in linguistics. It enters the linguistic many people that each one of them seems to scene at the end of the 1970s. However, to claim an interest in it and define it from many people, this is a rather new area. different perspective. According to Leech Pragmatics was a reaction to structural (1983: X), pragmatics can be usefully linguistics as outlined by Ferdinand de defined as the study of how utterances have Saussure. In many cases, it expanded upon meanings in situations. In a way, through his idea that language has an analyzable this definition, Leech is clearing up the structure, composed of parts that can be differences between semantics, syntax, and defined in relation to others. Pragmatics pragmatics. What he is trying to say here is first engaged only in synchronic study, as like this: Sentences are for syntax, while opposed to examining the historical utterances for pragmatics; sentence development of language. However, it meanings free from situations are for rejected the notion that all meaning comes semantics, while utterance meanings bound from signs existing purely in the abstract with situations are for pragmatics. space of langue. Crystal (1987: 120) says that Pragmatics deals with utterances, pragmatics studies the factors that govern by which we will mean specific events, the our choice of language in social interaction intentional acts of speakers at times and and the effects of our choice on others. This places, typically involving language. Logic definition emphasizes the absolute roles and semantics traditionally deal with that context and language users (speaker properties of types of expressions, and not and hear) play. The former is instrumental with properties that differ from token to in framing language users’ choices of token, or use to use, or, as we shall say, linguistic means for optimal from utterance to utterance, and vary with communication outcomes, while the later the particular properties that differentiate are solely responsible for the awareness of them. Pragmatics is sometimes context or speech environment in which characterized as dealing with the effects of they are to perform certain functions via context. This is equivalent to saying it deals language or fulfill specific objectives by with utterances, if one collectively refers to utilizing available linguistic means within all the facts that can vary from utterance to their capability. utterance as ‘context.’ One must be careful, Leech (1983:6) defines pragmatics however, for the term is often used with as “the study of meaning in relation to more limited meanings. speech situations”. The speech situation enables the speaker use language to achieve WHAT IS PRAGMATICS? a particular effect on the mind of the There are many definitions of * Dra. Pininta Veronika Silalahi, M.Pd. adalah dosen Prodi Sastra Inggris Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya Parafrase Vol. 16 No.01 Mei 2016 83 Pininta V.S. – A Highlight On Pragmatics hearer.” Thus the speech is goal-oriented occur and try to decode the meaning which (i.e. the meaning which the speaker or the writer of the notice intended to writer intends to communicate). Levinson communicate. Speakers and writers often (1983:9) defines pragmatics as “the study mean much more than they say/write and of those aspects of the relationship between expect their hearers/listeners to understand language and context that are relevant to the them. They will generally assume that some writing of grammars.” In this definition that aspects of meanings that are not expressed interest is mainly in the interrelation of in words are deducible from the context. language and principles of language use This assumption is based on their shared that are context dependent. While Yule environment, values, social conventions or (1996:127), pragmatics is “the study of world view which guides them to interpret intended speaker meaning”. This definition meanings beyond words or grammatical is in accord with Crystal (1997, p. 301) who structures. Ultimately the goal is to rightly says that pragmatics is “the study of interpret the speakers intended meaning. language from the point of view of users, The notion of the speaker’s or writer’s especially of the choices they make, the intended meaning is a very crucial element constraints they encounter in using in the study of pragmatics. And as you will language in social interaction and the see in this study, traditional pragmatics is effects their use of language has on other all about investigating the speaker/writer participants in the act of communication. intended meaning rather than what is Mey (1993:42) states that pragmatics is the expressed in words. study of the condition of human language In the definition of pragmatics by uses as this is determined by the context of Leech, you will notice that one of the society. Pragmatic is needed if we want a principles of pragmatics is the emphasis on fuller, deeper, and generally more “utterance” meaning rather than word or reasonable account of human language sentence meaning, and how such utterances behavior. relate to the context in which they are used. Based on the definitions above, we The difference between an utterance and a can see that the context take a big part in sentence is the fact that an utterance needs learning pragmatics because it is the study not be syntactically perfect the same way of language use. No definition of we expect a sentence to be. A sentence pragmatics will be complete in the absence must satisfy some basic grammatical rules of some mention of context and utterance. (e.g. subject/verb/complement structural If you see a notice like “Awas Anjing pattern.) An utterance on the other hand Galak” in front of someone’s house, you doesn’t even have to be a sentence. It may definitely know what each of the words be a word like “asu!” a phrase like “kurang means, and you also know what the notice ajar. The “meaning” we associate with means. You know that you have to be these utterances is defined in terms of their careful when you want to come close to the functions or the intention of the speaker in house because there is a fierce dog there uttering them. While sentence meaning is a which is ready to bite you. You normally function of the words in the sentence understand the notice well because you together with the overall sense of the know that a dog is only loyal to its master sentence, utterance meaning relies much and the people it recognizes. What you have more on the intention of the utterance in done is to use the meaning of the words in relation to the context. combination with the context in which they Parafrase Vol. 16 No.01 Mei 2016 84 Pininta V.S. – A Highlight On Pragmatics HISTORY OF PRAGMATICS A good understanding of pragmatics Pragmatics is a relatively late comer in will enable one adopt the right kind of linguistics. It enters the linguistic scene at language the end of the 1970s. As a word, pragmatics use in different social contexts and possibly appeared 2000 years ago. Back there, it was achieve the kind of result you expect. As a spelt as pragmaticus in Greek) and matter of fact, a good understanding of the pragmaticos in Latin. As a term, is roles of language in society demands the associated with Charles Morris and Carnap kind of linguistic (or communicative) in the 1930’s. These were philosophers who competence that is required to use language were interested in the study of semiotics in specific social contexts. In the next unit (the science of signs) and how the meaning we shall look more closely at the various associated with signs may be described in types of contexts and how they influence linguistic terms. Hence they distinguished language use. three (3) branches of semiotics as syntax, On mentioning the origin of semantics and pragmatics. While Morris pragmatics, we can go back to ancient used the term “interpreter” (language user) Greek and Roman academic works. At that to explain the focus of pragmatic study, time some great philosophers had discussed Carnap used the expression “the user of the something related to pragmatics. And we language.” can say pragmatics develops from Carnap identified the fact that since philosophy. First, the term “pragmatics” the investigation of meaning is user-based, first appeared in linguistic philosophy in it must therefore seek to find what intention 1930s, for then western philosophers began the user has for using some particular words to shift their focus onto the studies of or sentences. It is the intention of the language symbols, which developed into speaker that indicates the functions of the semiology later. And the early pragmatics utterance and what results that are was just a branch of semiology that was anticipated. This view of linguistic under the philosophers’ studies, which pragmatics was eventually adopted means that pragmatics originates from the generally, dropping other broader philosophers’ studies on language. Second, psychological and sociological aspects of the theoretic basis for pragmatics is from signs proposed by Charles Morris. philosophy. To be more specific, Semantics and pragmatics are two sisters pragmatics originates from the following belonging to the same parent (semiotics). aspects: the studies of semiology; the The difference between the two according studies of linguistical philosophy in the 20th to Morris and Carnap is that semantics is century and the studies of function concerned with the meaning of words, linguistics on language forms.
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