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Pragmatik

pragmatics

noun prag-MAH-tik Rare

Origin: from Greek pragma

Also means

study of language in context

Usage Note

Pragmatik is the linguistic study of how context shapes meaning and language use. It explains speech acts, implicature, and why 'Can you pass the salt?' is a request, not a question about ability.

Examples

"Pragmatik erklärt, warum eine Frage manchmal eine Bitte ist."

Natural Translation

Pragmatics explains why a question is sometimes a request.

Literal Translation

Pragmatics explains why a question sometimes a request is.

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