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1. The Power of Words: Pragmatics in
Language Acquisition
By : Hassan Gohar,
Rizwan Ali,
Haq Nawaz and Tauqeer Ali

2. Outline
• Introduction to Pragmatics and Language
Acquisition
• The Role of Pragmatics in Language
Acquisition
• Pragmatic Development in Children
• Factors Affecting Pragmatic Development
• Pragmatics in Second Language Acquisition
• Conclusion: The Importance of Pragmatics
in Language Acquisition

3. Introduction to
Pragmatics and
Language Acquisition
• Pragmatics is a branch of linguistics that
studies how people use language in
context. It focuses on the meaning
conveyed by speakers beyond the literal
interpretation of words and phrases. In
other words, pragmatics deals with the
way language is used to achieve
communicative goals.
• Language acquisition refers to the
process by which humans acquire the
ability to understand and use language.
This process starts at birth and continues
throughout life. Children learn their first
language through exposure to spoken
language in their environment.

4. The Role of Pragmatics
in Language Acquisition
• Pragmatics plays a crucial role in language
acquisition. Children need to understand not
only the words and grammar of a language but
also the social conventions and norms that
govern its use. For example, they need to learn
when it is appropriate to use certain types of
language (e.g., formal vs. informal), how to take
turns in conversation, and how to interpret
non-literal language (e.g., sarcasm).
• Without an understanding of pragmatics,
children may struggle to communicate
effectively and may misinterpret the intentions
of others. Therefore, teaching pragmatics
alongside other aspects of language is essential
for successful language acquisition.

5. Pragmatic Development
in Children
• As children develop and mature, their pragmatic
skills become more sophisticated. Infants start by
using pre-verbal communication such as pointing
and gesturing to convey their needs and desires.
As they begin to speak, they learn to use language
for a variety of purposes, including requesting,
commenting, and questioning.
• By the time children reach school age, they have
developed a basic understanding of the social and
cultural norms that govern language use.
However, they continue to refine their pragmatic
skills throughout adolescence and into adulthood,
adapting their language use to different contexts
and situations.

6. Factors Affecting
Pragmatic
Development
• Several factors can affect the development of
pragmatic skills in children. One of the most
important is exposure to language-rich
environments. Children who are exposed to a
variety of language input from a young age
are more likely to develop strong pragmatic
skills.
• Another factor is the quality of interactions
with caregivers and peers. Children who
receive responsive and supportive feedback
from adults and engage in positive
interactions with peers are more likely to
develop strong pragmatic skills than those
who do not.

7. Pragmatics in
Second Language
Acquisition
• Pragmatics is also an important aspect of
second language acquisition. Learners need
to understand the cultural and social norms
that govern language use in the target
language, as well as the different registers
and styles of language.
• However, pragmatic differences between
languages can present challenges for second
language learners. For example, some
languages may place more emphasis on
indirectness or politeness than others.
Therefore, it is important for language
teachers to explicitly teach pragmatic skills
alongside other aspects of language.

8. Conclusion: The
Importance of Pragmatics
in Language Acquisition
• In conclusion, pragmatics plays a critical role in language
acquisition. Without an understanding of the social and
cultural norms that govern language use, children may
struggle to communicate effectively and may misinterpret
the intentions of others. Pragmatic skills continue to develop
throughout childhood and into adulthood and are influenced
by factors such as exposure to language-rich environments
and quality interactions with caregivers and peers.
• In second language acquisition, explicit instruction in
pragmatic skills is essential for learners to effectively navigate
the cultural and social norms of the target language.
Therefore, a comprehensive approach to language
instruction should include a focus on pragmatics alongside
other aspects of language.

9. Thanks