Meaning, Context and Inference

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
LING 1001
Course ID icon
Course ID
201005
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
1
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
alt
Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

How do we get from sounds, words and grammar to meaning? This course brings a linguistic lens to the form-function relationship in human language, drawing on key concepts and methods of analysis in pragmatics to explore social views of meaning. Learners build foundational knowledge and skills in identifying and analysing relationships between language, context and social meaning. Through an intercultural approach, learners investigate and reflect on ways that language is used to achieve social purposes that are central to participation, roles, and relationships, within and across languages.

  • Pragmatics: Saying Is Doing
  • Sociopragmatics: Meaning And The Social
  • Pragmatics In Action: Meaning And Intercultural Realities

Course learning outcomes

  • Identify types of form-function-meaning relationships in human language
  • Collaborate with peers to analyse authentic examples of language use in context
  • Compare and discuss ways that meaning is accomplished in intercultural interactions
  • Reflect on ways that language choices influence perceptions of participation, roles, and relationships

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A