What is Pragmatics We human beings are odd compared with our nearest animal relatives. Unlike them, we can say what we want when we want. All normal humans can produce and understand any number of new words and sentences Humans use the multiple options of language often without thinking. But blindly, they sometimes fall into its traps They are like spiders who exploit their webs, but themselves get caught in the sticky strands Jean aitchisonWhat is Pragmatics • “We human beings are odd compared with our nearest animal relatives. Unlike them, we can say what we want, when we want. All normal humans can produce and understand any number of new words and sentences. Humans use the multiple options of language often without thinking. But blindly, they sometimes fall into its traps. They are like spiders who exploit their webs, but themselves get caught in the sticky strands.” Jean Aitchison