语用理解(pragmatic meaning)是指句子在读者与作者互动过程中所独有的意义。Pragmatic meaning:the meaning a sentence has only as part of the interaction between writer and reader.It is the meaning that reflects the writer’s feelings, attitudes and so on, and her intension in setting these down to be read.It therefore includes the intended effect of the utterance on the reader.
例如“I put so much food in my mouth sometimes that it was hard to swallow.”这个句子的意思是“有时我往嘴里塞了太多的食物,都快咽不下去了。”
这句话的字面意思并不难理解。但是作者的这一描写意图是什么?联系上文,读者不难看出,文中的主人公“我”看到满桌子都是好吃的东西What a lunch! 又特别爱吃火鸡的胸脯子肉,所以在餐桌上大快朵颐。这一描写使得一个贪吃的小孩形象跃然纸上。
语用的理解是阅读理解的重要目标。毕竟,阅读的目的最终是要理解作者说了什么。