Cognitive Pragmatics

Cognitive Pragmatics is a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between cognitive science and the study of meaning in context. It delves into the cognitive principles and processes that shape how individuals interpret and construct meaning during communication. The book posits that speakers often do not fully encode their intended messages through words and grammar alone. Instead, they rely on listeners to infer additional conceptual and emotional content, particularly in instances of indirect, figurative, or humorous communication. This dynamic is central to the field of pragmatics.

The volume is part of the 9-volume series Handbooks of Pragmatics and stands out as the first to systematically examine cognitive aspects of pragmatics from diverse perspectives. It features contributions from leading experts in various fields, including pragmatics, psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics, clinical linguistics, and historical linguistics. The book is organized into four parts, each addressing critical questions related to cognitive principles, the psychology of pragmatics, the interpretation of non-explicit meanings, and the development of linguistic structures influenced by contextual meaning.

In its exploration, Cognitive Pragmatics seeks to answer fundamental questions about pragmatic competence, the cognitive processes involved in real-time meaning construction, and the effects of pragmatic disorders. By examining how context shapes linguistic structures and the social implications of meaning-making, the book provides valuable insights into the complexities of communication and the cognitive underpinnings that facilitate it.