Defining Pragmatics

1. What's under the big-tent pragmatics?; Part I. Deconstructing Pragmatics: 2. Surveying multiple-criterion definitions for pragmatics; 3. Problematizing the criteria; Part II. Reconstituting Pragmatics: 4. Grammar as code, pragmatics as inference; 5. Inferential pragmatic theories; Part III. Mapping the Big Tent: 6. The canon; 7. Functional syntax; 8. Beyond pragmatics; 9. Many questions, some resolutions.

Ariel, Mira
Mira Ariel is a Professor in the Linguistics Department at Tel Aviv University, Israel. Her recent publications include Pragmatics and Grammar (Cambridge University Press, 2008).

'In a masterful confrontation with decades of received wisdom, Mira Ariel redefines the proper task of pragmatics in a simple, crystal clear way. An essential read.' Arie Verhagen, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics '... a new way to unify the field of linguistic pragmatics. Ariel critically surveys ten criteria for defining pragmatics, and argues for equating it with inferential as opposed to encoded meaning. She then shows how to apply the definition to the complete range of topics taken to constitute pragmatics in a broad sense.' Nancy Hedberg, Simon Fraser University 'Defining Pragmatics is an authoritative pragmatics text which has properly seated pragmatics in linguistic studies. It presents an unprecedented coherent pragmatic programme, which can be conveniently fleshed out from existing pragmatics texts, and which needs full development for further systematicity. Professional pragmatists and other linguists should therefore find the text an invaluable working tool.' Akin Odebunmi, Discourse Studies 'In this groundbreaking book, Ariel deconstructs the field of pragmatics and demonstrates how it can be reconstituted on a code versus inference distinction as a basis for a grammar/pragmatics divide ... an excellent and exciting book.' Qingli Zhao, Journal of Pragmatics