As a practitioner dedicated to enhancing the communicative competence of children, understanding the multifaceted nature of language is crucial. While syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics have traditionally dominated our focus, the realm of pragmatics—the meaningful, context-appropriate use of language—deserves equal attention. Dr. Carla Hess's research, as detailed in "Current Canadian Clinical Concepts: The Pragmatics of Child Language Performance," provides valuable insights that can elevate your practice to new heights.
The Importance of Pragmatics
Pragmatics encompasses the ability to use language effectively in various social and personal contexts. This involves not just what is said, but how it is said, and the nonverbal cues that accompany verbal communication. According to Hess, communicative competence involves mastering the use of language in varied personal, social, and educational encounters. The following areas are key:
- Communicative Functions: Using language to greet, request, inform, describe, and more.
- Noncommunicative Functions: Using language for self-direction, concept formation, and even magical thinking (e.g., taboo words).
- Nonverbal Communication: Understanding the role of gestures, body movements, vocal features, and interpersonal space.
Implementing Pragmatic Skills in Therapy
Integrating pragmatic skills into your therapy sessions can significantly improve outcomes for children with language disorders. Here are some practical steps based on Hess's findings:
- Assess Context: Evaluate the situational, intentional, listener, and linguistic contexts in which language is used. This helps tailor your approach to each child's unique needs.
- Use Role-Playing: Engage children in role-playing activities to practice different communicative functions in a safe, controlled environment.
- Incorporate Nonverbal Cues: Teach children to recognize and use nonverbal cues effectively, such as facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice.
- Develop Conversational Skills: Focus on skills like turn-taking, topic maintenance, and handling conversational digressions.
Encouraging Further Research
The field of pragmatics is vast and continually evolving. Staying updated with the latest research can enhance your practice and benefit the children you serve. Consider exploring the following areas:
- Presumptions: Understanding how children make judgments about their listeners and context can provide deeper insights into their communicative strategies.
- Discourse and Conversation: Investigate how children relate utterances over time and between speakers to improve their conversational competence.
- Nonverbal Communication: Delve into the science of kinesics, prosody, proxemics, and chronemics to enrich your understanding of nonverbal communication.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Current Canadian Clinical Concepts: The Pragmatics of Child Language Performance.
