Meaning as Sociopragmatics of Discourse

Abstract

This study examines the concept of meaning as evident in language use in human communication. Language is inevitably1 linked to its social context; that is, the social variables that produce it. In this sense, meaning is specially underpin1ned in linguistic choices. Language users do not ignore the contextual underpinnings that determine linguisti1c choices. Thus, pragmatic and social contexts impinge on what is meant in using utterances in discourse. Labov 1(1972) rightly notes that ‘no use of language can be divorced from its social context since special meaning is parasi1tic upon language.’ In discourse, pragmatic and social variables are invoked for the purpose of making speec1h acts ‘easy to mean’. This shows the intentional nature of speech acts. Speakers’ intentions beliefs and pinci1ple-driven use of language cannot be explained outside speech act phenomenon. Pragmatic principle of lang1uage use is concerned with extra-sentential meaning(s). In construing ‘meaning’ as  sociopragmatics of disc1ourse, the bottom-line is that the surface structure of language cannot adequately account for the dynamics and und1erlying principles that generate linguistic choices; research in speech acts strongly hold this view. This study hin1ges on two theoretical frameworks: Traugott’s Tendency of Semantic Change as well as C. K. Ogden and I. A. Ri1chards’ (1923) definition of meaning. The study concludes that in discourse, speaker-meaning is determined by e1xtralinguistic principles of language use in which case meaning is decoded via linguistic and extralinguistic i1nference strategies.