Language Basics: Pragmatic Language

Hi friends! I’m so excited to be bringing you the second installment in the Language Basics series. Last time we talked about the difference between speech and language, and the difference between expressive and receptive language. Today I want to talk about pragmatic language, one of my VERY favorite topics.

Language is SOCIAL

When looking at textbooks or traditional breakdowns of language, pragmatic (social) language is often discussed as a side note or an afterthought. If I learned ANYTHING in my years spent reading about language, working with kids who struggled with language, and finally researching language, it’s this:

Pragmatics are central to communication, and most importantly, the development of language.

In fact, it’s almost impossible to separate pragmatics from the rest because it is SO intertwined.

What do you mean by “pragmatic language?”

Remember when I talked about language being governed by a set of socially shared rules? Those rules are pragmatics, and they tell us HOW to use language in different situations. Pragmatic language involves not just choice of words, but tone and volume of voice, gestures, eye contact and gaze, and even proximity to other people. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, there are three major communication skills involved in pragmatics:

1. Using language for different purposes or intentions (i.e. asking for something, refusing, commenting on something, greeting someone)
2. Adapting language according to the situation or listener (i.e. talking to your friend differently than you would your boss)
3. Following rules for different situations (i.e. taking turns during conversations, not interrupting when someone is telling a story)

Now think for a moment, really think, about what it takes to have a simple conversation with another person. First, you have to be able to choose a topic that both you and your partner are interested in based on what you already know about that person (this is called Theory of Mind). Then you have to take turns talking- it can’t just be you giving a lecture- you have to engage your partner by giving them feedback and asking questions to keep them involved. Not only that, you have to watch their body language and facial expressions to monitor their responses to what you are saying- if you catch them looking away, they may be bored…change the subject! Oh- and listen to their tone of voice- was that sarcasm you heard?

When you are ready to move on, you can’t just abruptly walk away- you have to exit conversation gracefully. On top of all this, you want to make sure you don’t stand too close or too far away from your partner, and you want to choose appropriate language (i.e. if you are on a job interview, don’t use too much slang or casual speech).

Phew! Thank goodness that for most of us, this stuff is automatic- we don’t really have to consciously remind ourselves of these things. However, for a person with a pragmatic language disorder, these things may be totally and completely baffling. People with autism spectrum disorders, even those who have very advanced verbal abilities compared to the average person, by definition experience difficulty with the social aspects of language.

Ok, so now that you know what pragmatic language is, in my next post I’ll delve into what it has to do with early communication development, and you’ll learn why language is much more than vocabulary!! It’s good stuff, guys. I promise.

If you’ve missed any of the posts in this series, click here to view the entire collection!

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