ABSTRACT
Language is conventionally subdivided into pragmatics, semantics and syntax. Pragmatics relates to the appropriate use of language. For example, if I say “the pub will be open by now”, it is probably not just to inform you about the opening hours of our local. If you then look out into the Scottish drizzle and say “nice day for it”, you might be being sarcastic. Pragmatics involves going beyond literal meaning to work out what speakers really mean by what they say, and what listeners are likely to infer by what speakers say. This requires keeping track of everyone’s mental states: I know that you already know when the pub opens, but I want to plant the idea of going for a drink. You know that I can see it is raining; you want to express an opinion about it, possibly in relation to the proposed pub trip. Pragmatics is theory of mind, applied to language.
