The Effectiveness of Pragmatic Knowledge in Directing Discourse Intentions in Scholarly Gatherings: The Implicit Statement as an Example

Asst. Prof. Dr. Alaa Ali Abdullah Al-Anbaky 140-177

Abstract

    The ultimate goal of language is to communicate between speakers, enabling successful communication and continued existence. This is what language theories in general—including pragmatics—seek to achieve. Although its approaches and paths vary, its goal is the same: communication. Through its various theories, including the implications of speech—specifically, the implicit statement—pragmatics has sought to uncover the speakers› implicit intentions. Direct communication can often be difficult if the linguistic act is indirect and ambiguous. We then need to interpret the discourse and interpret it in ways that the recipient deems appropriate to the situation and the speaker›s intent. In doing so, it relies on multiple clues, including the current context from which shared knowledge emerges, and pragmatic knowledge. 
Keywords: pragmatics, pragmatic knowledge, intentionality, interpretation, implicit statement