Pragmatics: Meaning in Context - LAN00033H

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Module summary

The module builds upon core concepts introduced in Foundations of Meaning and introduces students to two core theories in inferential pragmatics: Gricean pragmatics and relevance-theoretic pragmatics. The focus will be on developing an understanding of how different types of meaning (e.g. literal and communicated meaning) are constructed and inferred by interlocutors in day-to-day communication. The module will hone students’ critical thinking and writing skills and help them develop an appreciation for multiple theoretical explanations of the same phenomenon.

Related modules

Additional information

Pre-requisites

Introduction to Semantics OR Foundations of Meaning

Prohibited combination

Students who have taken LAN00059I Introduction to Pragmatics may not take this module due to overlap in content.

 

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 2 2025-26

Module aims

The module is aimed at students who want to take their study of meaning in natural language further and deepen their knowledge of core concepts introduced in E/L69I Foundations of Meaning. Students will:

• learn about some of the major concepts in inferential pragmatics

• learn how to construct holistic, step-by-step analyses of how meaning is constructed via code (grammar) and inference (interpretation) in human interaction

• learn how to understand the relationship between linguistic theory and the analysis of naturally occurring data

• develop an appreciation of ambiguity and ‘grey areas’ in the study of meaning

• deepen their analytical and essay writing skills

• deepen their critical thinking skills

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• analyse natural language data from the point of view of some core pragmatic theories

• form generalisations and spot patterns in data

• evaluate in written form the strengths and weaknesses of certain pragmatic theories for the analysis of naturally occurring data

• read and understand longer research papers

Module content

A major focus will be on the code vs. inference distinction in natural language and varieties of (non-)truth-conditional meaning. The module will cover some of the basics of major pragmatic theories, focussing on two central camps: Gricean pragmatics and relevance-theoretic pragmatics. The emphasis will be on discovering and evaluating which of these approaches to pragmatics provides the most insight into the analysis of everyday language in use.

Students will be led through discussions of the readings and encouraged to consider and apply alternative and competing theories of pragmatics to data. Student participation is key to a successful learning experience in this module, as is an openness to ‘grey areas’ and unanswered questions in linguistic theory.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Data analysis dossier (with essay component).

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100

Module feedback

Written feedback will be provided within the university mandated time limit.

Indicative reading

Birner, B. (2013). Introduction to Pragmatics. John Wiley & Sons.

Clark, B. (2013). Relevance Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Huang, Y. (2014). Pragmatics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Scott, K. (2022). Pragmatics in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.