Abstract
Since learners must know how to use language in different contexts, sitcoms could help with pragmatic competence development because they display contextualized lifelike language. Could identifying conversational implicatures in a sitcom help develop metalinguistic awareness of implicatures? In addition, are there conversational implicatures in the sitcom Seinfeld that present the potential to help develop pragmatic competence? This article illustrates conversational implicatures through Seinfeld episodes and discusses how identifying implicatures could develop metapragmatic awareness. The method was a descriptive research of the qualitative type. Ten segments from the American sitcom Seinfeld were analyzed based on their conversational implicature occurrence. The implicatures present in the segments are discernible and may help develop pragmatic competence if explicitly taught to learners. Further studies could focus on quantitative research in EFL classrooms on the potential benefits of using sitcoms to develop metalinguistic awareness.
Highlights
The present article is about the use of sitcoms in learning contexts to raise metalinguistic awareness
This topic will be analyzed and discussed through segments from Seinfeld episodes based on the occurrence of implicatures and their potential for the development of pragmatic awareness in American English
Since pragmatic goals may not be in the spotlight in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts, it is paramount that teachers are aware of the benefits of explicit teaching pragmatic goals
Summary
The present article is about the use of sitcoms in learning contexts to raise metalinguistic awareness This topic will be analyzed and discussed through segments from Seinfeld episodes based on the occurrence of implicatures and their potential for the development of pragmatic awareness in American English. Since pragmatic goals may not be in the spotlight in EFL contexts, it is paramount that teachers are aware of the benefits of explicit teaching pragmatic goals. They should make use of the available tools, such as the use of video segments to illustrate pragmatic aspects and to help learners recognize and use them. Since sitcoms are a common media among teens and young adults, it is helpful to discuss and understand how to use them for educational purposes and, for second language acquisition and pragmatic competence development
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