Pragmatics and Language Use Flashcards
7 cards from real Language Proficiency practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pragmatics and Language Use flashcards as text
When someone says 'Could you pass the salt?' at the dinner table, this is best described as a:
Answer: Indirect speech act
This is an indirect speech act because the grammatical form (a yes/no question about ability) differs from the intended communicative function (a request).
The principle that speakers should say neither more nor less than is required for the current conversational purpose is called Grice's maxim of:
Answer: Quantity
The maxim of Quantity states that contributions should be as informative as required but not more so.
A customer says 'I've been waiting here for twenty minutes' to a store clerk. The implied meaning is most likely:
Answer: A complaint and implicit request for service
The statement functions as an indirect complaint and request for attention, going beyond its literal informational content.
Which concept describes the background assumptions that must be true for an utterance to make sense, such as 'Have you stopped smoking?' assuming the person once smoked?
Answer: Presupposition
Presupposition refers to background assumptions embedded in an utterance that must hold for the utterance to be felicitous.
In which situation would using highly formal language most likely violate pragmatic norms?
Answer: Chatting with a close friend at lunch
Using formal register with close friends violates the pragmatic expectation of informal, relaxed language in casual social settings.
When a professor says 'It would be nice if all papers were submitted on time,' the speech act being performed is most accurately:
Answer: An indirect directive to submit on time
Despite its expressive form, the utterance functions as an indirect directive, communicating an expectation or requirement.
The term 'face-threatening act' in politeness theory refers to:
Answer: An utterance that risks damaging someone's public self-image
Face-threatening acts (FTAs) are communicative actions that potentially damage the positive or negative face wants of the speaker or hearer.