Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Meaning And Pragmatic Function

Definition: 

Meaning and pragmatic function is a general heading under which terminology relating to the various areas of study of language use and interpretation is collected. These areas are variously categorized as eithersemantic or pragmatic.

Discussion: 

This inclusive grouping of meaning and pragmatic function is made because of the difficulty that theorists have in making in practice a sharp distinction between semantics and pragmatics. The topics that have been investigated and are presented under this topic are weighted heavily toward the pragmatic.

An expanded edition of the glossary projected for the future will likely include much additional terminology relating to the various areas of concern in semantics, especially case frames (that is, types of predications or propositions) and more semantic roles.