Variational pragmatics in the foreign language classroom

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

Situational variation has long been an accepted form of intra-lingual variation in speech act realisations. The effect of macro-social factors, such as region, ethnic background, age, social status and gender, on intra-lingual pragmatic conventions has, however, received comparatively little attention in the study of pragmatics to date [Kasper, G., 1995. Wessen Pragmatik? Für eine Neubestimmung fremdsprachlicher Handlungskompetenz. Zeitschrift für Fremdsprachenforschung 6 (1), 69-94, 72-73]. In addition, only very limited attention has been paid to macro-social pragmatic variation in modern dialectology, a discipline which focuses on the effect of macro-social factors on linguistic choices [cf. Wolfram, W., Schilling-Estes, N., 1998. American English. Dialects and Variation. Blackwell, Malden, MA, p. 89]. Variational pragmatics is a newly established sub-field of pragmatics which aims to meet this research gap. It is situated at the interface of pragmatics and dialectology and aims at a systematic investigation of the effect of macro-social pragmatic variation on language in action [cf. Schneider, K.P., Barron, A., 2005. Variational pragmatics: Contours of a new discipline. Unpublished paper presented at the 9th International Pragmatics Conference, Riva del Garda, July 10-15, 2005]. This paper highlights the need for a focus on macro-social factors. It draws attention to the fact that the rather blinkered focus on intra-lingual variation to date has meant that in research and teaching, languages have been generally viewed as homogenous wholes, devoid of regional and social variation. By means of data from a selection of regional intra-lingual pragmatic studies, the paper attempts to highlight a number of parameters relevant to intralingual pragmatic variation. On this basis, a case is made for language teaching to include a variational perspective on conventions of language use.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSystem
Volume33
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)519-536
Number of pages18
ISSN0346-251X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.09.2005
Externally publishedYes

Recently viewed

Publications

  1. Applying Quarter-Vehicle Model Simulation for Road Elevation Measurements Utilizing the Vehicle Level Sensor
  2. Developing a Complex Portrait of Content Teaching for Multilingual Learners via Nonlinear Theoretical Understandings
  3. Diffusion patterns in small vs. large capital markets-the case of value-based management
  4. Reciprocal Relationships Between Dispositional Optimism and Work Experiences
  5. Influence of Mg content in Al alloys on processing characteristics and dynamically recrystallized microstructure of friction surfacing deposits
  6. The structure of emotions in learning situations
  7. Toward a methodical framework for comprehensively assessing forest multifunctionality
  8. Tree diversity increases robustness of multi-trophic interactions
  9. Trap nests for bees and wasps to analyse trophic interactions in changing environments—A systematic overview and user guide
  10. Semiparametric one-step estimation of a sample selection model with endogenous covariates
  11. Modeling of temperature- and strain-driven intermetallic compound evolution in an Al-Mg system via a multiphase-field approach with application to refill friction stir spot welding
  12. Artificial Intelligence in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching
  13. General management principles and a checklist of strategies to guide forest biodiversity conservation
  14. Scattered trees are keystone structures - Implications for conservation
  15. Creating Value from in-Vehicle Data
  16. Erratum: Formalised and non-formalised methods in resource management-knowledge and social learning in participatory processes
  17. Understanding Records. A Field Guide to Recording Practice
  18. Dealing with inclusion–teachers’ assessment of internal and external resources
  19. A matter of connection
  20. Additive Manufacturing of Soft Robots
  21. BERTologyNavigator: Advanced Question Answering with BERT-based Semantics
  22. Entry, exit and productivity
  23. Public Value: rethinking value creation
  24. The persistence of subsistence and the limits to development studies
  25. An Unusual Encounter with Oneself
  26. The erosion of relational values resulting from landscape simplification
  27. Case study: The development of a multi-material heat sink by Additive Manufacturing using Aerosint technology
  28. Controlling a Bank Model Economy by Using an Adaptive Model Predictive Control with Help of an Extended Kalman Filter
  29. Employing A-B tests for optimizing prices levels in e-commerce applications
  30. The Open Anchoring Quest Dataset: Anchored Estimates from 96 Studies on Anchoring Effects
  31. Where do the data live?
  32. Instruments for research on transition. Applied methods and approaches for exploring the transition of young care leavers to adulthood
  33. Proxy Indicators for the Quality of Open-domain Dialogues
  34. Failing and the perception of failure in student-driven transdisciplinary projects
  35. Fallstudie
  36. Repräsentation oder Gebrauchsort?