How do we interpret language and expose its meanings? How does pragmatics describe the English language? Where can we go to acquire a deeper understanding of pragmatics?
Pragmatics and the English Language is a bold new textbook that presents an innovative and exciting way of looking at the subject. This new perspective, called integrative pragmatics, steers a course between what have historically been considered irreconcilable perspectives. With an emphasis on empirical data, the book is filled with examples from cartoons, films and historical sources, as well as face-to-face and digitally-mediated interactions, all of which are used to help the reader develop a better understanding of the theory.
Pragmatics and the English Language:
- Focuses on both the pragmatic aspects of English and how pragmatics is shaped by English
- Synthesizes traditional ideas with state-of-the-art pragmatics research
- Goes far beyond the coverage found in other pragmatics textbooks
Shedding light on the English language in highly original ways, Pragmatics and the English Language is essential reading for advanced students of the English language and linguistics, along with anybody else who wishes to develop a more in-depth knowledge of pragmatics.

Jonathan Culpeper is Professor of English Language and Linguistics at Lancaster University, UK.

1. Introduction
2. Referential Pragmatics
3. Informational Pragmatics
4. Pragmatic Meaning I
5. Pragmatic Meaning II
6. Pragmatic Acts
7. Interpersonal Pragmatics
8. Metapragmatics
9. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.