PRAGMATICS AND DISCOURSE ANALYSIS: ANALYZING DISCOURSE DATA QUALITATIVELY

The introduction explains the focus on analyzing CO data qualitatively and competencies in language learning, covering linguistic and non-linguistic abilities. Initially, it defines pragmatics, which distinguishes literal meanings from implied ones, illustrated through everyday conversation examples. Discourse analysis is also introduced, focusing on language stretches longer than sentences and contextual studies, with examples like conversations and jokes. The presentation moves towards analyzing language data through quantitative and qualitative approaches, outlining quantitative methods focused on large data and statistical patterns, whereas qualitative methods emphasize interpretative insights into smaller data sets, exploring contextual influences and social functions.

The discussion delves into qualitative analysis' focus on conversational subtleties in a cultural context, such as the use of hedges and politeness strategies to manage social interactions. Discourse analysis is defined as examining various communication forms, with data ranging from conversations to videos, social media posts, or text, depending on the research focus. It emphasizes understanding real-world language use within specific socio-cultural contexts and historical backgrounds. Types of discourse analysis data include textual, spoken, and multimodal forms. Textual data involves analyzing written communication to explore meaning construction, enhancing understanding of how language frames subjects like environmental policies.

Spoken data encompasses analyses of spoken interactions, including conversations or interviews, focusing on linguistic features such as tone and non-verbal cues. The multimodal approach examines communication beyond text or speech, incorporating images and gestures to explore how these modes construct meanings. Examples include analyzing political campaign advertisements through visuals and sounds. Institutional data focuses on formal settings, like educational domains, to understand how power and authority shape communication. It highlights language's role in hierarchical and structured communications. The digital age is introduced, where online discourse adds complexity to analysis with informal and evolving communicative forms, including challenges around emojis and anonymity.

Ethnographic data involves observations in natural settings, collecting information through participation to understand workplace language dynamics. Historical data explores discourse from previous eras to see linguistic evolution, reflecting on past-social norms. When collecting data, methods like recording and transcribing are vital for accuracy in spoken discourse. Ethnographic methods involve engaging with participants directly, getting genuine insights into language usage. Participant observation and interviews expand understanding of social interactions rhetorically, while archival research utilizes historical records for discursive studies. Data collection focuses on identifying language's role in meaning construction and relationships.

The section concludes discourse analysis data's diverse sources, including conversations, text, digital media, and multimodal communication, tailored to specific research inquiries. It discusses analyzing institutional or online interaction data to reflect social power dynamics. Analyzing data qualitatively shows how language constructs meaning through real-world interactions. The example of pragmatic effects in a conversation illustrates understanding language subtleties despite brief dialogues. Analyzing written data showcases an author's personal philosophy reflected in textual nuances, portraying a narrative with religious gratitude and educational motivations influencing language choice.

Shifting to competencies in language learning, it examines linguistic ability, encompassing effective language comprehension and usage, crucial for communication. It highlights biological, environmental, and educational influences on linguistic ability development. The profound impact of language on everyday life is explored, showing how words shape interactions, influence public speeches, and maintain social connections. Communicative abilities are described as vital, encompassing verbal and non-verbal interactions, relevant in personal and professional life, highlighting language's role in relationship building, conflict resolution, and effective expression of thoughts and ideas.

Introducing sociolinguistics, the study of societal influences on language usage, with examples of how language style shifts between informal contexts like friends and formal settings like teachers. It explores regional accents reflecting identities and social interactions. Social linguistics' applications include enhancing education strategies, translation accuracy, and addressing language rights in policymaking. Conclusively, it shows language's deep societal roots through sociolinguistic choices, demonstrating how diverse social contexts shape linguistic behaviors and cultural identity representation.

Communicative ability covers effective interaction through mastering verbal and non-verbal communication aspects beyond mere grammar. It emphasizes practical language use in real-life situations, focusing on skill development in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In various contexts, this ability is essential for relationship building, professional exchanges, and cross-cultural understanding. Digital communication also signifies adapting language skills for online interactions across different media. Developing communicative competence enhances mutual understanding and facilitates successful real-world communications and intercultural interactions.

Cognitive ability in pragmatics includes understanding contextual meaning, making inferences, and recognizing grammatical structures beyond literal interpretation. It discusses how inference allows understanding beyond explicit verbal requests or statements, illustrated with everyday conversation examples. Grammatical comprehension aids in identifying language subtleties and contextual alterations. These cognitive skills enhance effective interpreting and forming coherent responses, crucial for meaningful communication. Awareness of automatic thought processes is encouraged to minimize misunderstandings and improve interactional productivity.

Effective ability pertains to understanding emotional and social cues in dialogues, managing relationships, and expressing empathy or politeness through language use. Examining politeness strategies in requests or hedged statements showcases managing social identities. Empathy examples illustrate understanding others’ emotional states and providing supportive responses. Miscommunication is analyzed with transactional models, recognizing perceptual filters influencing message interpretation. Awareness in active listening, acknowledging non-textual feedback in interactions, and recognizing personal biases are advocated to improve communication and understanding.