Registers & Pragmatics

AquaBlue

AquaBlue

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In this book I am currently reading on ASL, the following is stated:

When one learns a language, one must learn how to use the various registers of that language if one is to function appropriately in social settings. This aspect of language learning is called pragmatics, and it refers to the rules governing the appropriate social use of a language. These rules specify who can say what to whom under what circumstances.
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Can you expand on the meaning expressed in this phrase?
 
Pragmatics govern the social use of language, and is tied directly tot hose rules that are largely unspoken, but internalized through dyadic interaction with others.
 
what are the unspoken rules? You mean like this: two individuals (as husband and wife) maintaining a sociologically significant relationship? At least that how Webster defines dyadic.

Boy I feel so stupid for not getting this theory/philosophy. That fact only fuels my fire to learn what the subject is all about. Can this information give me deep insights on ASL?
 
AquaBlue said:
what are the unspoken rules? You mean like this: two individuals (as husband and wife) maintaining a sociologically significant relationship? At least that how Webster defines dyadic.

Boy I feel so stupid for not getting this theory/philosophy. That fact only fuels my fire to learn what the subject is all about. Can this information give me deep insights on ASL?
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The reason you have so many questions is that you are attempting to tackle material for which you do not have the basics yet.

Dyadic is a reciprocal communication. One person says one thing, the next person's response is dependent upon that. If the response is not congruent with the cues provided, then the dyadic element is out of wack.
It applies not just to verbal communciation, but non-verbal cues (not necessarily sign) as well.

No, this information will not provide you with more insight regarding ASL. This falls into the domain of linguistics and social psychology.
 
That is so interesting jillio. I may get into that subject.

Even if it doesn't give me more insight on ASL, I will try to learn the basics anyhow.
 
AquaBlue said:
That is so interesting jillio. I may get into that subject.

Even if it doesn't give me more insight on ASL, I will try to learn the basics anyhow.
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Good for you. Knowledge is never a bad thing. But the best way to gain an understanding of pragmatics is to immerse yourself in the culture that uses the language. You may not know all of the technical jargon, nor the psychological and social learning theories behind it, but you will certainly learn pragmatics.
 
Sounds great. How did you get into the subject jillio? You seem to know plenty.
 
AquaBlue said:
Sounds great. How did you get into the subject jillio? You seem to know plenty.
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Well, let's see. My undergraduate degree is in psychology, and I have a double minor in linguistics and anthropology. Since I have a deaf son, it naturally follows that I would focus on these areas as applied to ASL and Deaf Culture. I see language from a different perspective, I suppose, because language has so much influence and impact over psychological and social constructs, and because the reverse is true as well. I've also been involved in research regarding the reciprocal or dyadic element of verbal and non-verbal communication and its impact on behavior and thought.
 
Very nice jillio. It all sound truly interesting. I love to learn new things and broaden my horizons.
 
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