Best
Formal Pragmatics
books of all time
(2024)

John Searle's pioneering book, published in 1969 and last updated in 1999, is a groundbreaking work in the philosophy of language. It introduces the concept of speech acts and details the difference between locutionary, illocutionary, and perlocutionary acts.

This work is foundational in understanding how language functions in communication and social interaction. It's essential for anyone studying linguistics, philosophy, or communication.

H.P. Grice's collection, published in 1989, is a compilation of his influential essays on language. It includes the development of the cooperative principle and conversational implicatures.

This book is critical for understanding how meaning is constructed in everyday conversation and is a staple in the study of language pragmatics.

Rob van der Sandt's 1992 book offers an extensive overview of formal methods applied to pragmatic phenomena like presupposition and focus. It bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and practical linguistic applications.

This book is invaluable for linguistics students and researchers interested in the intersection of semantics and pragmatics.

Stephen C. Levinson's seminal textbook, first published in 1983 and last updated in 2000, introduces key concepts in pragmatics, including its interaction with semantics and syntax.

This comprehensive guide is perfect for students and academics seeking a thorough grounding in pragmatic theory and its applications in linguistic studies.

Authored by Dan Sperber and Deirdre Wilson and published in 1986, this book introduces Relevance Theory. It argues that human communication is primarily guided by the search for relevance.

This book is essential for understanding how people interpret and convey meaning in communication, offering deep insights into cognitive processes.