A vital component of communication, pragmatic language is what enables people to interact effectively within social contexts.
These linguistic skills supersede words. Instead, they encompass what doesn’t seem right doesn’t seem right with and nonverbal cues, emotional expression, and social awareness.
In fact, pragmatic language plays a key role in how people connect with one another. It helps them interpret meaning and respond in varying situations.
Understanding pragmatics is crucial to recognize and address communication challenges, especially in those with developmental or mental health conditions.
What Are Pragmatics?
What are pragmatics, and what do they have to do with communication abilities?
Pragmatics refers to linguistic skills people use to communicate in social contexts. The skills are more about what is said than about how it’s said, when it’s said, and how it’s interpreted by others.
Pragmatic language includes a range of abilities. These include understanding social cues, recognizing the emotional tone in conversations, and using body language to reinforce spoken words.
Pragmatic skills are an essential element of effective communication, helping people navigate the complexities of social interactions.
Six Constructs of Formal Assessment
Pragmatic abilities can be assessed in six formal assessment areas. These pertain to skills like social context, paralinguistic decoding, and instrumental performance. Assessments pinpointing pragmatic communication skills include (CAPs) Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics and (ESB) Early Sociocognitive Battery.
Instrumental Performance Appraisal
A skill set that governs a speaker’s awareness of social routines, instrumental performance is how you judge whether someone is communicating in a socially-appropriate way.
This construct assesses how well an individual can use language to accomplish specific tasks or goals, such as giving instructions or making requests. It focuses on the clarity and effectiveness of communication in task-oriented situations.
Social Context Appraisal
Social Context skills deal with correctly judging other people’s feelings and intentions. It’s understanding how to speak differently in various settings, such as with peers versus authority figures, or in casual versus formal situations.
Social context appraisal evaluates the ability to adapt language based on the social environment.
Paralinguistic Decoding Appraisal
This construct involves interpreting nonverbal elements of communication, such as tone, pitch, and intonation. Paralinguistic decoding is essential for understanding the full meaning of a message and responding appropriately.
When speakers accurately read “micro-expressions,” they can gather meaning beyond what a person is saying.
Instrumental Performance Appraisal
Instrumental performance skills affect the ability to communicate information according to social norms. For example, can the speaker ask for directions in a socially appropriate way.
An instrumental performance appraisal measures the practical use of language in everyday life, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. It looks at how effectively a person can express their thoughts and ideas.
Affective Expression Appraisal
This construct assesses the ability to convey emotions through language. Many everyday situations require people to convey emotion.
Effective affective expression allows individuals to communicate their feelings and build stronger connections with others.
Paralinguistic Signals Appraisal
Paralinguistic skills are the use of nonverbal communication – including gestures, facial expressions, body language, speed, and tone – to complement verbal communication.
Paralinguistic signals often convey meaning that words alone cannot fully express.
Recognizing Pragmatic Language Differences is a Powerful Diagnostic Tool
Pragmatic language differences are commonly associated with conditions like autism, ADHD, developmental language disorder, social communication disorder, and other mental health difficulties.
Recognizing these differences is a powerful diagnostic tool, providing valuable insights into an individual’s communication challenges.
Learn all about the WPS Clinical Assessment of Pragmatics and how the service can unlock your child’s potential.
