Open Access
American Research Journal of English and Literature
ISSN (Online): 2378-9026
DOI: 10.46568/arjel
Core Concepts in Pragmatics: A Linguistic Study
Abstract
In any field of knowledge, theoretical concepts facilitate the investigation of phenomena. This is the case in language
and linguistics, where pragmatics is well established. Pragmatics is the study of context-sensitive use and interpretation
of verbal and non-verbal communication. There are different concepts in pragmatics. As research in the field expands,
more concepts emerge. Classical pragmatic theories are replete with the discussion of core concepts: speech act, context,
presupposition, implicature, shared knowledge, non-verbal communication, etc. In this study, we examine four core
concepts in pragmatics: speech act, context, presupposition and implicature. Hinging on Hymes’ (1962) Taxonomy of
Situation Component, this study concludes that speech act, context, presupposition and implicature are concepts that
give readers introductory perspectives on the term “pragmatics”, because they elucidate basic communication questions:
Who says “what”, “where”, “how” and “why”?
