pragmatics
UK[præɡˈmætɪks]US[præɡˈmætɪks]
n
the branch of linguistics dealing with language in use and the contexts in which it is used, including such matters as deixis, the taking of turns in conversation, text organization, presupposition, and implicature.
n
(in general use) a practical approach to problems and affairs.
Morpheme Breakdown
pragmat
ics
pragmat
deed, act
ics
systematic study
Etymology
the term originates from the greek word 'pragma', meaning 'deed' or 'act', which itself derives from the verb 'prassein', 'to do'. this root emphasizes action and practical consequences. in the late 19th century, philosophers like charles sanders peirce adapted 'pragmatic' to describe a doctrine evaluating ideas by their practical effects. the linguistic field 'pragmatics' was subsequently formed by adding the suffix '-ics', denoting a systematic science, thus creating the "systematic study of language in action." this evolution reflects a shift from the general philosophical concept of practical consequences to the specific analysis of how context shapes meaning in actual communication.
Analysis
Structure: pragmat (deed, act) + ics (systematic study)
pragmat is from greek 'pragmat-', the stem of 'pragma' meaning 'deed, act, thing done'. ics is a suffix of greek origin via latin and french, used to denote a body of facts, knowledge, principles, or a systematic study.
Examples
the study of pragmatics helps explain how the meaning of "it's cold in here" can be a request to close the window.
her success in diplomacy was due more to her pragmatics than to strict adherence to protocol.
the textbook's chapter on pragmatics covers speech acts and conversational implicature in detail.