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Pragmatics as Metacognitive Control.
1Autisme en Contexte: Théorie et Expérience, Université libre de Bruxelles Bruxelles, Belgium.
This study clarifies pragmatics, distinguishing between selecting interpretation norms and context-sensitive interpretation processes. Understanding these distinctions resolves debates about mind-reading in communication.
Area of Science:
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Language
Background:
- The term 'pragmatics' is often ambiguously used.
- Existing debates question whether pragmatic processes always require mind-reading (Theory of Mind).
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate two distinct uses of the term 'pragmatics'.
- To propose a model that resolves disputes regarding the role of mind-reading in pragmatic interpretation.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the term 'pragmatics'.
- Distinguishing between language-independent norm selection and language-specific metacognitive processes.
- Proposing a new model for understanding pragmatic processes.
Main Results:
- Pragmatics involves both selecting interpretation norms (language-independent) and context-sensitive interpretation processes (language-specific).
- The former may involve Theory of Mind, while the latter can be unconscious and not require mental state representation.
- A proposed model emphasizes contextually set interpretation norms over a hierarchy of meanings.
Conclusions:
- Resolving the ambiguity in 'pragmatics' clarifies its relationship with cognitive processes like Theory of Mind.
- The proposed model offers a framework for understanding how context influences interpretation.
- This distinction helps reconcile differing views on the necessity of mind-reading in pragmatics.

