scholarly journals Second Language Pragmatics

Linguistics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Jung Youn
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
L2 Pragmatics ◽  
Second Language Pragmatics

The field of second language (L2) pragmatics surveys a range of research issues on how L2 learners learn to use a target language in context-appropriate manners. In the late 1970s, the field of interlanguage pragmatics emerged from cross-cultural pragmatic research. The field has now moved beyond comparisons of different pragmatic norms or simply describing language use. With nearly four decades of research, second language pragmatics has now become an independent field. Informed by different theories, the scope and definitions of L2 pragmatic competence have been expanded. An accumulative body of research illuminates underlying mechanisms and processes of L2 pragmatic development and what L2 pragmatic competence entails. In part, the increasing interest in interlanguage pragmatics reflects the notion that language competence entails the ability to use language in context, in addition to grammar. L2 pragmatics is also situated in a larger domain of language teaching, reflecting a call for more context-specific and more dynamic views of L2 communicative competence. In addition to formal aspects of language (e.g., grammar), L2 communicative competence entails the ability to engage in social interaction and perform speech acts in a contextually appropriate way. This article focuses on providing selective references, since the entire literature cannot be encapsulated in an article-length format. This article is organized around six topics: (1) Theoretical Approaches, (2) Analytical Objects of L2 Pragmatics, (3) Data Elicitation Methods, (4) Instructed L2 Pragmatics, (5) Assessing L2 Pragmatics, and (6) L2 Pragmatics in Diverse Social Interaction.

scholarly journals Second language learners’ divergence from target language pragmatic norms

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pia Gomez-Laich
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Nonnative Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
L2 Pragmatics ◽  
Direct Explanation ◽  
The Individual

Pragmatic competence is an indispensable aspect of language ability in order for second and foreign language (L2/FL) learners to understand and be understood in their interactions with both native and nonnative speakers of the target language. Without a proper understanding of the pragmatic rules in the target language, learners may run the risk of coming across as insensitive and rude. Several researchers (Bardovi-Harlig, 2001; Kasper & Rose, 2002) suggest that L2 pragmatics not only can be taught in the L2/FL classroom, but, more importantly, that explicit approaches that involve direct explanation of target pragmatic features are beneficial for learning pragmatics. Just as native speakers of a language acquire a “set of dispositions to act in certain ways, which generates cognitive and bodily practices in the individual” (Watts, 2003, p. 149), instructors can help learners to become aware of the pragmatic features that characterize the target language. Although the importance of explicit teaching of pragmatics is well recognized in the literature, learning norms and rules of pragmatics largely depends on learners’ subjectivity. Learners’ convergence or divergence from the L2 pragmatic norms, both consciously and out of awareness, sometimes depends on whether these norms fit their image of self and their L1 cultural identity. Since identity-related conflict can have significant consequences for the acquisition of second language pragmatics, failing to consider the centrality of learners’ identities will produce an inadequate understanding of SLA. This paper synthesizes studies that document the reasons why learners opt to remain foreign by resisting certain L2 practic-es. The following synthesis question was proposed: Why do language learners resist the pragmatic norms of the target language?

scholarly journals Interlanguage Pragmatics, Communicative Competence, Nigeria’s L2 Classrooms

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Amaechi Uneke Enyi ◽  
Chiekpezie Edwin Orji
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Linguistic Action

In Nigeria, much attention has been given to the teaching and learning of grammatical forms and sound sequences with emphasis on their accuracy and correctness (linguistic competence). This has reflected in the selection of course syllabi, curriculum, instructional materials and methods in our classrooms. A lot studies have been carried out by scholars on the non-native speakers’ use and acquisition of linguistic action patterns in a second language. Though such studies, dubbed interlanguage pragmatics, have all been carried out in Europe and America with focus on speakers of English as a Foreign language (EFL). This area of enquiry has not been adequately explored in Africa in general or Nigerian L2 learners of English as the focus. Thus, little or seldom attention has been given to pragmatics and appropriateness in language use (Communicative competence). This study is therefore, a consciousness - raising effort to highlight the relevance and advantages of teaching pragmatics and the development of pragmatics awareness in our classrooms. This is against the backdrop of the fact that the linguistic competence of most learners of English as a second language is not usually at par with their pragmatic competence. This study foregrounds the need for L2 learners of English to develop a concomitant degree of pragmatic awareness in the use of the language. They must learn how to combine form, meaning, force and context. They need, for example, to learn how to say what they want to say with the required formality or politeness, directness or indirectness, e t c, as required by a given situation or sometimes, to even keep quiet and still communicate intention. The study, domesticating the findings of some current researches in instructed pragmatics, discussed and suggested some classroom activities that could be adopted as part of the methods of teaching pragmatics, and by so doing, highlighted the enormous advantages and usefulness of teaching pragmatics and acquiring pragmatic competence in Nigeria’s L2 classrooms.

An analysis of pragmatic content in EFL textbooks for young learners in Croatia

2021 ◽  
pp. 136216882098693
Author(s):  
Eva Jakupčević ◽  
Mihajla Ćavar Portolan
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Insight Into

Pragmatic competence is an essential element of communicative competence, which makes it relevant for speakers of all ages, including young language learners (YLLs). Despite the recognized importance of pragmatics, research of textbooks for adult second language (L2) learners to date has found them lacking in their approach to this key aspect of language. However, there is very little research of pragmatics in textbooks for YLLs, which would provide insight into the extent to which these materials can support teachers in including elements of pragmatic competence into their language classes. The present study aims to fill this gap by determining how much pragmatic content is included in 18 textbooks used in Croatian primary schools with learners aged 9–12 years. The textbooks are compared in regard to the percentage of pages with pragmatic content as well as the different speech acts that receive explicit attention in them. The main finding of the study is the great amount of inconsistency when it comes to the scope and treatment of pragmatic content, with some textbooks proving extremely lacking. The results present a concerning picture as all of the students using these diverse textbooks should be following the same curriculum which emphasizes the development of communicative competence.

The Development of Pragmatic Competence

1996 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 103-120
Author(s):  
Gabriele Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Pragmatic Development ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
Research Findings

Unlike other areas of second language study, which are primarily concerned with acquisitional patterns of interlanguage knowledge over time, most studies in inter-language pragmatics have focused on second language use rather than second language learning. The aim of this talk is to profile interlanguage pragmatics as an area of inquiry in second language acquisition research, by reviewing existing studies with a focus on learning, examining research findings in interlanguage pragmatics that shed light on some basic questions in SLA, exploring cognitive and social-psychological theories that might offer explanations of different aspeas of pragmatic development, and proposing a research agenda for the study of interlanguage pragmatics with a developmental perspective that will tie it more closely to other areas of SLA.

Technology and L2 Pragmatics Learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 113-127
Author(s):  
Marta González-Lloret
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Large Field ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
L2 Pragmatics

AbstractThe field of technology and language learning, also known as CALL (computer-assisted language learning), is now a robust area of study informed by research and practice in the fields of language education, computer science, psychology, sociology, cognitive science, cultural studies, and, most of all, applied linguistics and second language acquisition (SLA). As with any other large field of study, some subareas have become the focus of study, often influenced by advances and research in applied linguistics, while others remain to be explored further; among these is the area of technology-mediated second/foreign language (L2) pragmatics, also known as interlanguage pragmatics. The lack of research in this area is puzzling if one considers that pragmatic competence is one of the essential components of communicative competence and that most of the technologies today exist in the service of communication. This article reviews the efforts so far to explore the connections between interlanguage pragmatics and a variety of technologies and innovations, as well as existing resources to bring L2 pragmatic teaching into the language classroom. It then suggests unexplored areas where technology could be used to aid the development of pragmatic competence and where pragmatic theory can inform SLA research.

Communicative competence and personality dimensions in first and second language learners

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUDO VERHOEVEN ◽  
ANNE VERMEER
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Openness To Experience ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Organizational Skills

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relations between communicative competence and five dimensions of personality in 241 first and second language–learning children in The Netherlands. To determine the underlying communicative competence of the first and second language learners of Dutch, a broad array of linguistic measures and teacher judgments were collected. Observational scales referring to the Big Five personality factors were used to characterize the children's personalities. The results showed that three basic components underlie both the monolingual and bilingual children's communicative competence: organizational competence, involving lexical, syntactic, discourse, and functional abilities; pragmatic competence, involving sociocultural routines and illocutionary force; and strategic competence, involving the planning and monitoring of communicative behavior. The relations between the different dimensions of personality and the components of communicative competence revealed the following patterns to characterize first language learners: conscientiousness and emotional stability correlated with basic organizational skills; openness to experience correlated with pragmatic competence; and a broad range of personality characteristics with the acquisition of communicative strategies. In contrast, primarily openness to experience and, to a lesser extent, conscientiousness and extraversion were found to be related to the buildup of basic organizational skills, the acquisition of pragmatic skills, and the development of monitoring strategies in second language learners.

Introduction: Interlanguage Pragmatics in SLA

1996 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Kasper
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Nonnative Speakers ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Foreign Language Pedagogy ◽  
Language Pedagogy ◽  
Syntactic Knowledge ◽  
Pragmatic Knowledge

Interlanguage pragmatics—the study of nonnative speakers' use and acquisition of L2 pragmatic knowledge—has hovered on the fringes of SLA research thus far. In theories of 12 acquisition, pragmatics may figure as a constraint on syntactic knowledge, for instance, but pragmatics is not usually recognized as a knowledge component whose development deserves theoretical consideration in its own right. There is thus a tension between SLA as a theoretical (in the sense of “nonapplied”) discipline and the theory and practice of second or foreign language pedagogy. In theories of communicative competence in L2 teaching and testing, pragmatic competence figures prominently (e.g., Bachman, 1990). Curricula and materials for L2 teaching developed in recent years include strong pragmatic components or even adopt a pragmatic approach as their organizing principle.

scholarly journals L2 Pragmatic Competence in Chinese Secondary Schools - Teaching Approaches, Teaching Materials, and Classroom-Based Assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Qing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Pragmatic Competence ◽  
Interlanguage Pragmatics ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Grammatical Competence ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Teaching Application

English as a L2 (second language) is compulsory in many countries’ education. However, the pragmatic competence is far less developed, compared with the grammatical competence. This situation leads to a fact that many students are confident in grammar-oriented tests, but afraid of starting a conversation. Or, in many cases, the students may bewilder the native speakers. This paper concerns the teachability of L2 (Second Language) pragmatic competence in Chinese secondary schools. It starts with a relatively comprehensive introduction of some very basic concepts, including pragmatics, pragmatic competence, and ILP (interlanguage pragmatics). Next, the necessity of consciously learning of L2 pragmatic competence is discussed within the specific context, as well as its teachability. After that, challenges of L2 pragmatic competence teaching are raised from three aspects: 1) challenges for teachers in the teaching process; 2) lack of authentic L2 pragmatic input; and 3) the testing and assessment of L2 pragmatic competence. Finally, feasible ways to facilitate the teaching application of L2 pragmatic competence are proposed.

scholarly journals Standardisasi Pengajaran Bipa: Revaluasi Metode Menuju Kompetensi Komunikatif

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
I Ketut Darma Laksana
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Cognitive Linguistics ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Direct Method ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Translation Method ◽  
Teaching Material

The method of language teaching to achieve communicative competencies to be a choice in second language learning has not developed widely at this time. This paper aims to present the workings of the Linguistic Method as a form of revaluation of traditional methods of language teaching which are considered to have not met the requirements of BIPA Teaching Standardization. The traditional teaching methods applied so far still revolve around the Direct Method and Translation Method. Both of these methods are suspected of not being able to bring learners to communicative competence. The application of the Direct Method has not shown maximum results because it only relies on teaching methods by prioritizing the use of the target language (second language), but the issue of teaching material does not receive an adequate portion to achieve the expected communicative competence. Similarly the Translation Method which basically attempts to convey material by translating it into learner language (generally in English to deal with heterogeneous classes), nor touching teaching material. In connection with that, Cognitive Linguistics which gave birth to Cognitivism Theory and is known as the Linguistic Method in second language teaching is important to be applied to achieve communicative competence. By the standardization it means that method of language teaching must be measured by the linguistic methods itself as a guidance: teaching each aspect of language, such as grammatical patterns, vocabulary groups, and sound devices is carried out in five stages, namely recognition, imitation, repetition, variation, and selection.

Teaching second language pragmatics in the current era of globalization: An introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 136216882110649
Author(s):  
Ariadna Sánchez-Hernández ◽  
Júlia Barón
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Implicit Instruction ◽  
Second Languages ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Cultural Boundaries ◽  
Multilingual Societies ◽  
Second Language Pragmatics

The increasing mobility of speakers of different languages to different countries, together with the globalized world we live in, have led to multilingual societies in which linguistic exchanges between both native and non-native speakers have become a very common practice. This reality emphasizes the need to help learners of foreign and second languages become not only linguistically competent but also pragmatically competent, in order not to sound impolite or inappropriate in the target language. Addressing this need, studies in interlanguage pragmatics (ILP) have explored which methodology is most effective for teaching pragmatics. Earlier ILP studies compared explicit versus implicit instruction, highlighting the key role of explicit metapragmatic explanations. More recently, scholars have investigated how to create opportunities to for authentic pragmatic practice inside the classroom. To do so, some studies have implemented task-based language teaching to provide students with goal-oriented meaningful activities that address their real-world needs. Other studies have incorporated technology-enhanced materials such as simulated immersive environments and computer-mediated communication to promote students’ engagement in authentic use of the language beyond the classroom. Another current concern in L2 pragmatic instruction is how to account for the emergence of English as an International Language (EIL), and the consequent need to guide learners into acquiring language as a tool to mediate across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Different studies have adopted an EIL perspective, proposing the enhancement of students’ metapragmatic awareness and strategies to deal with the hybrid nature of English and its associated varieties and cultures. The special issue ‘Teaching second language pragmatics in the current era of globalization’ aims to illustrate such current trends, with six contributions by distinguished scholars in the field of L2 pragmatics from all over the globe.

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