THE ROLE OF PRAGMATIC KNOWLEDGE IN THE INTERPRETATION AND PRODUCTION OF MEANING IN EFL EDUCATION
Abstract
This article examines the role of pragmatic competence in achieving effective communication in a foreign language. It argues that successful interaction requires not only grammatical and lexical knowledge but also the ability to use language appropriately in context. The study explores the theoretical foundations of pragmatics, tracing its development from classical semiotic theory to a modern interdisciplinary field. Particular attention is paid to speech act theory, the cooperative and politeness principles, and the role of context in meaning construction. The article highlights how pragmatic norms influence the interpretation of both explicit and implicit meanings, including implicatures. The analysis demonstrates that language functions as a dynamic system shaped by social, cultural, and cognitive factors. It concludes that the development of pragmatic competence is essential for learners of foreign languages, as it enables them to perform communicative acts effectively and achieve intended perlocutionary effects in real-life interactions.
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