Pragmatics refers to the rules that govern social language. An individual may say words clearly and use long, complex sentences with correct grammar, but still have a communication problem if they have not mastered the rules for social language.
Pragmatics includes:
- Using language for different purposes:
- greeting (e.g., hello, goodbye)
- informing (e.g., I’m going to get a cookie)
- demanding (e.g., Give me a cookie)
- promising (e.g., I’m going to get you a cookie)
- requesting (e.g., I would like a cookie, please)
- Changing language according to the needs of a listener or situation:
- talking differently to a baby than to an adult
- giving background information to an unfamiliar listener
- speaking differently in a classroom than on a playground
- Following rules for conversations and storytelling:
- taking turns in conversation
- introducing topics of conversation
- staying on topic
- rephrasing when misunderstood
- using verbal and nonverbal signals
- understanding how close to stand to someone when speaking
- understanding how to use facial expressions and eye contact
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association