Historical Pragmatics

doi:10.1017/9781009205702.021

18 - Historical Pragmatics

from Part III - The Long View by Levels and Areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 October 2025

Andreas H. Jucker

Edited by

Laura Wright and

Raymond Hickey

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Laura Wright: Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Raymond Hickey: Affiliation:
University of Limerick

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Summary

Historical pragmatics studies the use of language in earlier periods and the developments of usage patterns over time. Recent research in this area has increased our understanding of how usage patterns develop, and we have gained insights into a range of pragmatic phenomena at specific times in the history of English. This chapter provides exploratory accounts for each of the traditional periods in the history of English, from Old English up to Present-day English by focusing on those areas within historical pragmatics that have already received sufficient scholarly attention, in particular the use of pragmatic markers, speech acts and the use of politeness. These overview sketches of the individual periods will be linked through an analysis of specific development patterns.

Keywords

pragmatic markers speech acts politeness terms of address pragmaticalization speech act attenuation

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Type: Chapter
Information: The New Cambridge History of the English Language
Context, Contact and Development
, pp. 666 - 719

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009205702.021 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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