Metapragmatic Discussion
Metapragmatic discussion occurs when the learners and instructor engage in a dialogue about pragmatic expression that they have just seen and heard. The purpose is to point out and make students aware of pragmatic features. The discussion and awareness can take place explicitly or implicitly. That is, as seen in the following video, the instructor and learners can discuss rules and analyze different features directly and explicitly. Or the instructor can have the learners learn implicitly, in which the learners experience the pragmatics and draw inferences themselves about what they have seen and what was implied (implicatures).Metapragmatic discussion focuses on linguistic nuances and their meanings. Think about the difference in illocutionary force, or the intended meaning, among these options to make a request for use of another's car:
- Can you lend me your car?
- Could you lend me your car?
- I would like you to lend me your car.
What do you think is the difference in force and meaning in the options? Now compare your answers to those given by the students in the video.
Language teachers discuss differences in illocutionary force.
Duration: 02:56