Pragmatics Analysis

Students name:
Rene Armando Amaya Cerna SMLI095616
Karla Vanessa Preza Turcios SMLI465217
Edwin Geovani Rodriguez Amaya SMLI009117
Career:
Bachelor’s degree in English, University Gerardo Barrios
Introduction To Linguistic
Teacher in charge:
Ismael Aristides Merlos Juarez
October 18, 2020
 PRAGMATIC ANALYSIS
Context
Example: ATM Card Being Declined

A: I'm sorry, but your card was declined.

B: This is my ATM card and I know I have money in my account.
A: Maybe you have less money in the account than you thought.
B: I just checked my balance this morning.
A: Your account may have been frozen.
B: Why would the bank do that?
A: You should contact your bank.

In the example, we can see that in the sentence "Your account may have been
frozen" is the word "frozen" which thanks to the word "account" in the context means
"suspended" and not that it is made of ice.

Deixis
Example: A Salesperson
A: Are you interested in buying this bike?
B: That thing? I don't think so.
A: I assure you, it is a wonderful sale.
B: It looks rusted.
A: That can be fixed with a light coat of paint.
B: The chain looks old.
A: Just oil it a little, and it will be good as new!
B: The seat is uncomfortable.

In this conversation, we can see the deictic “that” which refers to or points to the
bike.
Reference
Example: Buying Textbooks

A: Hey, you're in my English class!

B: Yes, I am.
A: Did you buy the textbook yet?
B: No, it's really expensive.
A: How much is it?
B: The original price is over $200.
A: We could buy it from a former student.
B: We could also buy the used version.

After doing research we concluded that in this area of the conversation there is a
"Reference" since "It" is replacing the word "textbook" that was mentioned above.

Inference
Example: Bus Lines

A: Where can I find the bus schedule?

B: You can look it up online.

In this example we concluded that here in the conversation there is an inference

because here the listener is giving additional information to connect what is said to
what must be meant.
Anaphora
Example: Starting a Business

A: I'm going to quit school.

B: I don't recommend that.
A: Don't worry. I'm going to start a business.
B: What kind of business?
A: I'm going to make a robot that does chores.
B: Have you made the robot yet?
A: No, but I'm starting to.
B: If you do manage to complete it, it would sell well.

In this example “robot” is the antecedent and “the robot” is an anaphoric expression
because it is referring back to the introducing word already mentioned.

Presupposition
Example: Getting a ride

A: The invitation says at 5 p.m.

B: I'll pick you up at 4:15. Parties always start a little late.
A: Thank you. I'll buy you a coffee to make up for it.
B: That sounds great! Let's go.

In this example, it can be understood that the person will change the time because
he assumes that the party will start late because of the theory that all parties are like
this.

Speech Acts
Example: A Forgotten Anniversary
B: Is it your birthday?
A: No, it's our one-year anniversary!
B: I am so sorry.
A: You should be. I guess I'm not that important.
B: You are. I'll make it up to you.
For this example, it is clear that it is a speech act because he is apologizing to the
other person.
Politeness
Example: The worst date

A: What do you want to do when you grow up?

B: I don't know.
A: How would you describe yourself?
B: I don't know.
A: Oh, come on! You must know something!
B: Don't you get the hint? I don't want to be here.
In this example, it could be said that this Politeness is a Face threatening act, since
the other person responds and asks with a bad and threatening attitude towards the
other person.