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Book Review of Pragmatic by George Yule
Book Review of Pragmatic by George Yule
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BOOK REVIEW
This book review is arranged to fulfill the Mid-term task of Pragmatic
Arranged by:
S200140027
ENGLISH STUDY
2015
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A. INTRODUCTION
While in section two the writer writes about readings which also provide
about necessary transition. It contains previously written texts by specialists in the
field of linguistics. Section three and section four provides references and
glossary respectively.
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B. DISCUSSION (BOOK REVIEW)
This summary and book review is focused on the first section of the book
which covers nine chapters and is regarded as the main part of the book. Then,
each chapter the reviewer will give the comment related the material reviewed.
3
Within long in language solution, there has been strong desire in formal
analysis systems which are often from logic and mathematic. Its prominence is on
invention of some abstract principles which convergent at the language essence.
By placing the discovery of abstract language characteristic, potential universally,
on the middle of their workbench, the linguists and language philosophies tend to
remove any kind of note they find about the usage daily language to the desk
edge. When the desks start to full, many notes about the usage of the common
language start to be degraded and end in the garbage crate.
Comment: from the summary and review on chapter 1, we can see about detailed
explanation of pragmatic. We can conclude that pragmatic related to the utterance
meaning, about contextual meaning. We also know about the difference of
pragmatic with the other subject matter like syntax and semantic.- The writer
provides brief discussion and emphasis on discovering some of the abstract
principles that lie at the very core of language, so it make the reader can know
more about pragmatic.
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information “here” and “there”, but in the old texts and in the dialogs can found a
set of aquipment of long expression of deixis more.
c. Temporal Deixis. The psychological basic of temporal deixis seems to be
similar to that of spatial deixis. We can threat temporal events as objects that
move toward us (into view) or away from us (out of view). One basic (but often
unrecognized) type of temporal deixis in English is in the choice of verb tense.
Whereas discussing other languages have many different forms of the verb as well
as different times. English has only two basic forms, the time now (now),
example, I live here now, and the past, example, I live here last month.
• Deixis And Grammar
The principal difference in the serve so far about person deixis, spatial deixis,
and temporal deixis, it can be seen on the work of one of the differences-the most
common structural difference which is made in English grammar-that is between
direct and indirect sentences . The speaker which are temporarily away from their
homes, will often continue to use 'here' with the intention of the location of
housing (physical distance), as if they were still exist at that location. The speaker
also seems to imagine himself in the place before he was in that place.
Comment: from the summary and review on chapter 2, we can see about the
detailed explanation of deixis. It is technical term to one of the basic something
which we do with pragmatic. We also can see the type of deixis like person deixis
(related to pronoun), spatial deixis (here & there), and temporal deixis (tense).
This detailed explanation help us to use deixis appropriately in daily activities.
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Not at all expression has physical reference that can be known.
For example: (A) He wants to marry a woman with lots of money
(B) there’s a man waiting for you.
And from (A) someone is more interest to listen that the woman has much money
than her name. Nominal phrase (non-fixed) can be used to explain the entity that
was assumption, but is not known. In word “B” can be substituted with
“anyone/anybody”. It’s naming using attributive.
• Name And Reference
There is norm that the expression of certain reference will be used to know certain
entity in a regular proof. An opinion of pragmatics is correctly allowing us to see
how someone can be identified by expression.
For example: (a) Can I borrow your ShakesPare ?
(b) yeach, It’s over there on the table.
• Co-Text Rule
Co-text clearly limited interpretation span that maybe concern with a word.
For example: (a) the heart attack mustn’t be moved.
(b) a couple of room have complained about the heat.
(A hospital is context to (a) and the receptionist room is context to (b))
The reference analyze in a crucial manner depend on habit with socio-
culture norms as basic of conclusion. So, reference is not relation between the
meaning of word or phrase with or someone in this world. Reference is a social
measure, where the speaker has assumption that word a mean of the speaker.
• Anaphoric Reference
In English, the beginning reference or introduce term, often not fixed (a man,
a woman, a cat) in a fixed nominal (the cat, the man, the woman) and pronouns
( he, she, it, they) is the example of next reference that concern to reference has
been introduced. It usually knows anaphora and the beginning expression knows
Antecedent. There is pattern inversion of anaphora antecedent that sometimes
founded at the beginning of story. For example: “I turned the corner and almost
step on it. There was a large snake in the middle of the path”.
Comment: from the summary and review on chapter 3, we can see about the
detailed about reference and inference and the example of them, so the reader
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easy to catch the point. The writer then concludes the chapter by stating that
successful reference means that an intention was recognized, via inference,
indicating a kind of shared knowledge and hence social connection.
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There is something base hope that presupposition in simple sentence will be in
right way when the simple sentence become a part in a complex sentence. This is
one of the version from the common concept that the meaning from the whole
sentence is combination from the part of each that part sentence, but, a part
meaning from the presupposition is unable become the meaning from some
complex sentence, and this is called projection problem.
Shirley : It’s so sad. George regrets getting Mary pregnant.
Jean : But he didn’t get her pregnant. We know that now.
If we combine two narration from (13), we can get the chronological, George
regrets getting Mary pregnant; But he didn’t get her pregnant !
After we identify a different presupposition, we can see that presupposition in
isn’t hold out like presupposition from the narratives that were be combined.
• The Arranged in Orderly Entailment
Actually entailment is not m pragmatic concept (because is related by the
speaker’s purpose), but it is regarded a logic concept, and it is symbolic by II -.
There some example of entailment. Rover chased three squirrels ( = p )
a. Something chased three squirrels ( = q )
b. Rover did something to three squirrels ( = r )
c. Rover chased of three something ( = s )
d. Something happened ( = t )
In preset a relationship between entailment and as p II–q, in simple way we can
say that the narrative in sentence, the speaker must confess that the correctness in
some back entailment.
Comment: from the summary and review on chapter 4, we can know more about
the material. The writer write explanation of the types and example of
presupposition and entaimen, so the reader can know and understand the material
or topic being discussed.
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B proper : it is 6.30. So, you have the whole night ahead of you! Have you eaten
at Hardy’s before?
4. Maxim of manner
• Avoid obscurity of expression; Avoid ambiguity; Be orderly.
Example:
A : can you take out the trash?
B improper : well, it is probable that I would take out the trash more often if
someone were not flagrantly wasteful, such that, the majority of trash was not
always coming from that person.
B proper : Sure, but we need to talk about how we are assigning the chores around
here when I get back.
• Conversation Implication
The basic assumption of conversation is the members should follow the
maxim rules in a conversation. For example:
Charlene : I hope you brought the bread and the cheese.
Dexter : Ah, I brought the bread.
After knowing the response of Dexter, Charlene automatically realized that
Dexter only brought the bread. He didn’t bring the cheese. Dexter only said that
he brought the bread without saying that he didn’t bring the cheese in order to
make Charlene assume that he didn’t bring the cheese.
• General Conversation Implication
This implication is more general than conversation implication because it is
not specific. Such as: A says: “I was sitting in a garden one day. A child looks
over the fence”. The implication shows that the garden and the child are not his.
If the garden and the child are his, he will says “my garden” and ”my child”.
• Scaled Implication
This implication is decided by value scale. The information that is explained
implies the value of scale. For example: “I am studying linguistics and I have
completed some of the required course”
The speaker uses word “some” shows us that the speaker has not finished all
the linguistics courses. We will know more about the implication if the speaker
explains more about the linguistics, for example: He says: “They are sometimes
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really interesting”. It shows that speaker is not only has not completed the
courses, but also he is sometimes interested in linguistics.
• Private Conversation Implication
This implication needs a private knowledge. For example:
Rick : Hey, coming to the wild party tonight?
Tom : My parents are visiting
To make Tom’s answer becomes relevant, Rick must have a little knowledge that
is assumed that Tom has another activity tonight. It also shows that Tom won’t
join the wild party because his parents will visit him. And it won’t be wild.
• Conventional Implication
This implication is real using the words are spoken. Not hidden. It is free. The
words that are usually used are “but and even”. For example:
Roger : Marry suggested black, but I choose white.
The implication is the sentence “I choose white”. It shows the implication. The
implication is real and not hidden.
Comment: from the summary above, we as reader can see about more
explkanation of cooperation and implicature in conversation. Speaker and
listener are involved in a conversation then they cooperate with each others, and
the speaker has a purpose, and the type of maxims are essential in conversation.
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The action is performed by producing an utterance will consist of three
related acts. There is first a locutionary act, which is the basic act of utterance, or
producing a meaningful linguistic expression. Mostly we don’t just produce
well-formed utterances with no purpose. We form an utterance with some kind
of function in mind. This is the second dimension, or the illocutionary act. The
illocutionary act is performed via the communicative force of an utterance. We
do not, of course simply create an utterance with a function without intending it
to have an effect. This is the third dimension, the perlocutionary act.
• Felicity Conditions
There are certain expected or appropriate circumstances, technically known as
felicity conditions, for the performances of a speech act to be recognized as
intended. In every context among ordinary people, there are also preconditions
on speech acts. There are general conditions on the participants, for example,
that they can understand the language being used and that they are not play-
acting or being nonsencial. Them there are content conditions. For example, for
both a promise and a warning, the content of the utterance must be about a future
event. Finally, there is the essential condition, which covers the fact that by the
act of uttering a promise, In the other words, the utterance changes my state from
non-obligation to obligation. This assential condition thus combines with a
specification of what must be in the utterance content, the context, and the
speaker’s intentions, in order for a specific speech act to be appropriately
(felicitously) performed.
• The Performative Hypothesis
One way to think about the speech acts being performed via utterances is to
assume that underlying every utterance (U) there is a clause, similar to “I (Vp)
you that…”, containing a performative verb (Vp) which makes the illocutionary
force explicit. This is known as the performative hypothesis and the basic format
of the underlying clause in “I (hereby) Vp you (that) U”.
“I hereby order you that you clean up this mess.”, are used by speakers as explicit
performatives. “ Clean up this mess!”, are implicit performatives, sometimes
called primary performatives.
The advantage of this type of analysis is that it makes clear just what elements
are involved in the production and interpretation of utterances.
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There are some technical disadvantages to the performative hypothesis. For
example, uttering the explicit performative version of a command has a much
more serious impact than uttering the implicit version. It is also difficult to know
exactly what the performative verb (or verbs) might be for some utterances, it
would be very strange to have an explicit version.
• Speech Act Classsification
One general classification system lists fives types of general function performed
by speech acts, declaration, representatives, expressive, directives, and
commisive.
1. Declaration are those kind of speech acts that change the word via their
utterance. When use it, the speaker change the world with words.
2. Representative is are those kinds of speech acts that state what the speaker
belief as issues or not. to using a representative, the speaker makes the words fit
the world (of belief). Example : a) the earth is flat , b) chomsky didn’t write
about peanuts or c) it was a warm sunny day
3. Expressive are those kinds of speech acts that state what the speaker feels. In
using an expressive, the speaker makes words fit the world (of feeling).
Example: I’m really sorry!; Congratulations!.
4. Directives are those kinds of speech acts that state what the speakers use to get
someone to do something. The speaker attempts to make the world fit the words
(via the hearer). Example : Could you lend me a pen, please?
5. Commisive are those kinds of speech acts that state what the speakers use to
commit themselves to some future action. They express what the speaker
intends. the speaker understake to make the world fit the words (via the speaker).
For example: I’ll be back; We will not do that.
• Direct And Indirect Speech Acts
Whenever there is a direct relationship between a structure and a function, we
have a direct speech act. Whenever there is an indirect relationship between a
structure and function, we have an indirect speech art. Thus, a declarative used to
make a statement is a direct speech act, but a declarative used to make a request
is an indirect speech act. When it is used to make a statement, it is a direct
speech art. When it is used to make a command/request, it is functioning as an
indirect speech art.
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Example: It’s cold outside. (Indirect speech acts are generally associated with
greater politeness in English than direct speech act).
• Speech Events
It is better in most social circumstances, for the speaker to avoid direct
imposition via a direct request. A speech event is an activity in which
participants interact via language in some conventional way to arrive at some
outcome. The analysis of speech events is clearly way to study how more gets
communicated than is said.
Comment: from the summary above, we can see five types of speech acts which
are declarative, representative, expressive, directive and commissive. Also the
direct and indirect speech acts, before coming to the speech event. The writer
concludes the chapter with the reference to the usefulness of speech act analysis
in illustrating the kinds of things we can do with words and identifying some of
the conventional utterance forms we use to perform specific actions.
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another’s face, the speaker can say something to lessen the possible threat. This
is called a face saving act.
• Negative and Positive Face.
A person’s negative face is the need to be independent, to have freedom of
action, and not to be imposed on by others. A person’s positive face is the need
to be accepted, even liked, by others, to be treated as a member of the same
group, and to know that his or her wants to shared by others. One way to see the
relevance of the relationship between this politeness concepts and language use
is to take a single speech event and map out the different interpretation
associated with different possible expressions used within that event.
Example : - Have some more cake.
- Give me that wet umbrella.
However, generally speaking, bald on record expressions are associated with
speech events where the speaker assumes that he or she has a power over the
other and can control the other’s behavior with words.
• Positive and Negative Politeness.
A positive politeness is a face saving act which is concerned with the person’s
positive face will tend to show solidarity, emphasize that both speaker want the
same thing, and that they have a common goal. For example : ( How about
letting me use your pen? ). Meanwhile a negative politeness is a face saving act
which is oriented to the person’s negative face will tend to show deference,
emphasize the importance of the others time or concerns, and even include an
apology for the imposition or interuption. For example : ( I’m sorry to brother
you, but can I ask you for a pen or something?).
• Strategies
A solidarity strategy will be marked via inclusive terms such as ‘ we ‘ and ‘
let’s ‘. For example : - Come on let’s go to the party. Everyone will be there.
We’ll have fun. The language associated with a deference strategy emphasizes
the speaker’s and the hearer’s independence, marked via an absence of personal
claims. For example : - There’s going to be a party, If you can make it. It will be
fun. These general types of strategies are illustrated here via utterances which are
actually central to the speech event ( for example, invitation ).
• Pre-sequences
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The basic assumption, from the perspective of politeness, is that face typically
at risk when the self needs to accomplish something involving other. The
advantage of the pre-request element is that it can be answered either with a ‘ go
ahead ‘ response. For example ;
him : Are you busy? (= pre-request)
her : Oh, sorry. (=stop)
Pre-sequences are also commonly used in making invitations.
Comment: from the summary above, the writer simplifies his points by stating
that negative face is the need to be independent and positive face is the need to
be connected. He also shows that negative politeness as a deference strategy can
be used in informal situations, while positive politeness as a solidarity strategy
can be used in formal situations. In last part of this chapter, the writer talks about
pre-sequences and divides it into three parts; pre-request, pre-invitation and pre-
announcements.
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rhythm, it means that they have more understanding than words to talk. You can
see the first the example of conversation that shows miscorrelations.
Mr. Straits : What’s your major Dave?
Dave : English-well I haven’t really decided yet. (3 seconds)
Mr. Straits : So-you want to be a teacher?
Dave : No-not really-well not if I can help it. (2, 5 seconds)
Mr. Straits : What-//Where do you-go ahead?
Dave : I mean it’s a-oh sorry// I-emm-.
The short interval (-) show a form of uncertainty, while the long one become
silence. Two or the last line shows overlap with a conventional way. And signed
with (//) on the first conversation. The second example shows a silence between
both speakers because of each speaker doesn’t take their part well.
• Speaking Style
There are some variations that create some misunderstanding. The individual
hope that their role in the conversation will be very active. So that most of the
speakers will relatively fast, almost without interval between the turn of speak.
These kinds of speaking style called with high involving style. It means that the
speaker use slower way, hoping for long intervals between the turn of speak.
These kinds of speaking style called high solidarity style, where no need
interruption and force.
• Adjacency Pairs
There are many kinds in the structure of dialogue,t hat are greeting, Introduce, etc.
Example: Anna: Hello Bill : Hi
Anna: How are you? Bill : Fine
Anna: See you! Bill :Bye
The name of automatic formation like that is Adjacency Pairs. There are two parts
of pairs ,that are first part and second part which expression by to different
peoples, and there is empty statement in the second part.
The others example of adjacency pairs is expressing of gratitude and
offering/service help.
Example: A: Thanks - B:You’re welcome
A: Could you help me with this? - B:Sure
• Structure Of Preference
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In the structure of preference, second part divided two, that are social measure
which like and social measure which dislike. Pattern:
First part Second part(like) (Dislike)
- Value Agree Disagree - Proposal Agree Disagree
- Inviting Accept Refuse - Request Accept Refuse
- Offering Accept Refuse
The answer for second part which like of the request, offering, value or proposal
is agree and accept. Example: A. Can you help me? Sure
B. Isn’t that really great? Yes, it is
Comment: from the summary above, we can see that possible turn-taking of
conversation is called Transition Relevance Place, or TRP. Then the book talks
about pauses, overlaps, and backchannels. By overlap, a situation when both
speakers trying to speak at the same time, and by backchannels he means the
situation when speakers expect their conversational partners to indicate that they
are listening, including “uh-uh”, “yeah”, “mmm”, etc. The writer talks about
conversational style (high involvement and high considerateness style),
adjacency pairs (1st part and 2nd part) and preference structure (preferred and dis-
preferred).
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process note (oral or writen) where language used to context to clarify desire.
Generally, Interest wide in word struture this perspektif stuctural focus in topic.
Example : Context explisit between sentence into text that compose a cohesion
or element to arrange text are identify explain. Specifically, study focus in aspect
about how to spoken and written, we must understand the social interaction
matter and analyze conversation to memorize the form and structure text.
• Coherence
Coherence in spoken and written discourse how to create it and how to
describe. Generally, user wide language are assumption coherence. It’s
containing meaning of experience certain with individual because experience
would be certain with familiriaty and expect. Pressing of familiriaty and
knowledge as coherence elements was needed because made interpretation was
not observe with another alternative.
Example : Man Robs Hotel with sandwich
If you made an interpretation to that sandwich (may be into bag) sandwich used as
weapon, consider that as knowledge background was espect by writer.
• Knowledge of Background
Our ability to interpretation are automatic that didn’t write or not oral based
on the first knowledge structure. The function of stucture are intimate point from
the old experience used to interpretation new experience. We use script for
making interpretation about the happened of incident. Another case became the
rotation of incident that assumption for having together is background of
knowledge. A script concept according to simple recognize from some act
rotation that hope on an incident. Because every part of script explanation that
assumption ready to know, may be the explanation didn’t revealed.
• Pragmatic Flash Culture
Different study hope based on culture schema, is part of wide folded room that
common know as pragmatic flash culture. Concept and terminology may be give
based analytic skeleton, but realization of concept may be different according to
substantial. The different approach to connect between quality and quantity on
knowing pragmatic that more comprehensive. Study about culture way different
pronounce sometimes means contrastive pragmatic.
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Comment: The last chapter of the book gives a short account on what is there
beyond the text in relation with social background and previous knowledge. The
writer explains about interpersonal function (i.e. taking part in social
interaction), and in its textual function (i.e. creating well-formed and appropriate
text) and also in its ideational function (i.e. representing thought and experience
in a coherent way). When it comes to coherence, the writer argues that
familiarity and knowledge as the basis of coherence is necessary because of
evidence that we tend to make instant interpretations of familiar material and
tend not to see possible alternatives. In the background knowledge section, the
writer introduces the word schema and defines it as “a pre-existing knowledge
structure in memory”.
C. CONCLUSION
The book provides short account of pragmatics and its sub-headings. It is designed
in a systematic way helping readers make sense of what is written AND GIVE better
understanding. The writer write each topic in the field of pragmatics with rather
enough detail. Its simplicity makes it easy for students to gain and build some basic
knowledge in the concerned area. The smooth movement from a chapter to another is a
good technique used by the author to make the link stronger among the chapters. In
fact the use of plain language and well organization of ideas are seen as proof of
writer’s strong ability and his neatness.
REFERENCES
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