Pragmatics

This course teaches theoretical models of language usage, language structure and how to understand language. The thoughts that we communicate through language can rarely be seen directly in the sentences we produce or receive. Language itself is just a tool aimed to start the thinking processes which the recipient must use in order to understand the reason behind the sentences. 'Context' is a vital concept in this, and it functions as a psychological phenomenon which is shaped and altered during the communication. Students learn how certain elements convey a specific context, thereby making it easier for the listener or reader to understand the message.

The content and focus can vary somewhat according to the composition of the class.

After having taken this topic, the students should

• Be able to understand, present and compare various approaches to phenomena within pragmatics and in the interface between pragmatics and non-truth-functional semantics

• Be able to test out theoretical predictions on new data presented to the student

• Understand and be able to account for how semantic and pragmatic competence complement each other

Lectures and group instructions. More on assessment: Obligatory exercises must be approved before the student may sit the written exam. The size of the exercises must be between 2-4 typed A4-pages each (line spacing 1.5). In special cases, upon student petition, a take-home exam may be allowed.