Pragmatics

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandra E. Thompson on November 23, 2012 at 11:59pm

Hi Evelyn,

Oh dear, the semantics of the English language, if that is what you 'mean'?

If I were to use poetic licence, the two concepts may be considered interchangeable.

Literally, however, the two words have totally different meanings.

I just had the thought that perhaps you may be thinking of 'pedantics' rather than 'semantics'?

Pragmatics and pedantics are similar in meaning.  Semantics is literally the study of the meaning of words.

I hope I haven't misunderstood your question?

Best.

Sandra

 

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Evelyn Wuese-Ter Kpurkpur on February 27, 2013 at 3:40am

Hi Sandra,
Thank you so much for your help. yes i meant to say '' i gues it's all about meaning", not "mean" as was written by me. i had further study on it and i now understand semantics as the study of meaning of words as you rightly said, while pragmatics is the study of the speakers utterance and intended meaning, and the receiver's perception of what is said by the speaker.
i love this study daily as i try to make meaning out of words.

• ▶ Reply