ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses second language (L2) pragmatic development from the perspective of language socialization. It presents a synthesis of research on L2 pragmatic development that utilizes the language socialization framework. The chapter reviews existing findings on L2 pragmatic socialization. It outlines the theoretical underpinnings of language socialization and then reviews how the theory has been applied in inquiries into the development of L2 pragmatic competence. The chapter presents well-defined linguistic foci of socialization, with pragmatics as the overarching area of investigation. It explores the key issues in the L2 pragmatic socialization research and reviewed existing studies. Socialization is a concept originating in anthropology that refers to the process through which a novice acquires ‘knowledge, orientations, and practices’ to ‘participate effectively and appropriately in the social life of a particular community’. The focus of language socialization research is how children and other novices learn to use language ‘meaningfully, appropriately, and effectively’ and become members of a particular cultural community.
