Language/Discoure Understanding is a matter of language/discourse meaning seek and meaning demonstration. In language/discourse meaning treatment-based studies, Linguistics offers two basic sub-branches: Semantics and Pragmatics from Cognitive Science where Psychology, Psycholinguistics and Linguistics compete. Yet, sometimes if not often, there is not a clear cut between the two sub-branches and scholars happen to take one for the other or simply reject one. The problem is more complex when the target language/discourse of the study is a specialized one.
Dear Dilu,
In principle, there should be no confusion between semantics and pragmatics, which are not exclusive, i.e. semantics is in need of pragmatics and vice versa. Without pragmatics, semantics is decontextualized language that does not make real sense. And without semantics, pragmatics will not have the fodder on which it bases its own meaningful communicative substance. Semantics is the study of the knowledge encoded in the vocabulary of the language and in its patterns for building elaborate constructions and meanings. Pragmatics is the interaction of semantic knowledge with our knowledge of the world to produce meaningful communication in contexts of use. Psychology and socio-cultural considerations definitely impact and interact with pragmatics in the way we express ourselves in our respective languages and cultures.
Dear Dilu,
In principle, there should be no confusion between semantics and pragmatics, which are not exclusive, i.e. semantics is in need of pragmatics and vice versa. Without pragmatics, semantics is decontextualized language that does not make real sense. And without semantics, pragmatics will not have the fodder on which it bases its own meaningful communicative substance. Semantics is the study of the knowledge encoded in the vocabulary of the language and in its patterns for building elaborate constructions and meanings. Pragmatics is the interaction of semantic knowledge with our knowledge of the world to produce meaningful communication in contexts of use. Psychology and socio-cultural considerations definitely impact and interact with pragmatics in the way we express ourselves in our respective languages and cultures.
hi. regarding the difference between semantics and pragmatics, semantics is concerned with the meaning and sense of concepts encoded in the text which should be decoded by the listener or reader. however, concepts and meanings do not occur in vacuum. they happen in a socio-linguistic context. how can we convey meanings without considering their context? do all utterances convey the same message regardless of the context in which they occur? best
Hello,
Semantics deal with a socio-linguistic context whereas pragmatics is called as a dustbin,means to say that, it will accept every thing, but with the context.
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