PRAGMATIC EQUIVALENCE
CAP. 7°
Pragmatics is the study of language in use and refers to words in both languages having the same effect on the
readers in both languages. There are 2 mains categories that are central to pragmatic, and these are: coherence
and implicature.
COHERENCE
While cohesion concerns the surface relations that organize and create a text, coherence is the network of
conceptual relations which underlie the surface text as perceived by the language users.
The only presence of cohesive markers, such as linkers or lexical chains, is not sufficient to create a coherent
text. (ex: a)I’m tired because b)apples are red.)( Because should suggests a cause/effect relationship between
the two clauses a) and b) but there isn’t any coherence between them).
It all depends on the ability of the hearer/reader to interpret a stretch of language on the basis of his expectation,
experience of the world and on the society where he lives on.
IMPLICATURE
Implicature refers to what the speaker means or implies rather than what he literally says. Implicature must not
be confused with IDIOMATIC MEANING. I.M. is conventional and its interpretation depend on a good
mastery of the linguistic system rather than on interpretation.
Ex: A) shall we go for a walk?
B) could i take a rain check on that?
The interpretation depends on knowing the meaning of the expression “take a rain check” in America English,
and will be “if you don’t mind, we’ll do it another time”.
Participants in a conversation are expected to observe the 4 Grice’s maxims:
•Quantity; make your contribution as informative as is required, but no more, no less than in required.
•Quality; do not say that which you believe to be false or for which you lack evidence.
•Relation; be relevant
•Manner; be clear, brief and orderly avoid ambiguity and obscurity of expression