ABSTRACT
Pragmatics aims to explain how communication works. This is a complex task, since human interaction through language involves not only structural rules and grammatical restrictions, but also—and foremost—cognitive abilities, social and cultural preferences, and individual features. After a brief overview of the main approaches in this field, the chapter goes on to explain the way in which knowledge representation determines language use. The social aspects and cultural expectations are then considered as being crucial in shaping communicative practice. Finally, considerations about how the human mind processes information complete the picture. Both teaching and learning a second language require a reflexive approach to all these factors.
