Pragmatic Implications Research Articles

(Re)constructing global health security and universal health coverage: norm contestation and interaction

Abstract To effectively tackle public health challenges, policy-makers increasingly advocate for aligning global health security (GHS) and universal health coverage (UHC), two influential norms driving international health cooperation. However, despite operating within overlapping spheres of governance, the normative histories linking GHS and UHC remain relatively unexplored in the literature. This article examines how GHS and UHC have been (re)constructed—from distinct policy sectors to synergistic norm regimes—through repeated contestation and interaction. Utilizing the ‘norm life-cycle’ framework to trace development across three stages (emergence, tipping-point/cascade and internalization), this study discursively analyses key texts from major crises and international agreements spanning several decades to unpack how norms and their underlying discourses and core functions have influenced each other as they evolved. The findings illustrate that GHS and UHC norms would be better understood as dynamic ‘processes’ rather than static concepts. The article concludes that GHS and UHC norms have shaped each other more significantly than previous scholarship suggests, characterizing them as continuously evolving, closely interlinked and increasingly integrated. This work contributes not only to the broader scholarship on international norms theory, but also offers pragmatic implications for navigating normative development where multiple norms compete for influence amid ever-shifting priorities.

Exploring Conversational Implicature in Reality Show Dialogues: A Case Study of Violating Cooperative Principles in Divas Hit the Road (Season 5)

The cooperative principle, a cornerstone in pragmatics, serves as a framework for understanding how speakers strive for efficiency and clarity in communication. This study delves into the conversational dialogues from the tenth episode of the reality show Divas Hit the Road (Season 5) to analyze instances where the four maxims of the cooperative principle are violated. By examining these violations, the paper uncovers the diverse manifestations of conversational implicature and their pragmatic implications within the authentic communicative context of the show. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how speakers navigate complex social interactions through strategic language use.

Comparative Discourse Strategies in Environmental Advocacy: Analysing the Rhetoric of Greta Thunberg and Chris Packham

This paper examines the rhetoric and argumentation of two prominent environmental activists, Greta Thunberg and Chris Packham. From the perspective of Ecolinguistics, Thunberg has given voice to a generational movement for change, galvanising young people everywhere through high-profile protests and speeches. Packham represents British mainstream environmentalism, notably as the presenter of the acclaimed nature documentary ‘Springwatch’. We argue that their influence partially stems from their alignment with dominant cultural narratives: Thunberg’s emphasis on intergenerational discord and Packham’s connection to the natural world. We analyse both figures via the lens of the ‘emotionalisation of media discourse’, highlighting argumentation strategies that feature expressions of negative emotions of which anger is a type. Thunberg’s famous ‘How dare you?’ outburst at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit and Packham’s statement to Novara Media, ‘I am more angry now than at any point since my 20s’, exemplify this trend. We explore the pragmatic implications of their argumentative and discursive strategies, suggesting that while both have significantly elevated the profile of ecological activism, their discourse may also have a potentially divisive aspect.

Investigating Power and Control: Uses Of ‘Invariant Tag’ Questions in Malaysian Criminal Trials

This paper examines invariant tag questions in the 16 Malaysian criminal proceedings (MAYCRIM) corpus, focusing on their role in cross-examination. Cross-examination questions are pivotal as they elicit information and confirmations from witnesses while allowing them to narrate events. Using a corpus-based forensic discourse analysis, the study combines quantitative and qualitative methods to uncover patterns in tag question usage. Five common agreement tags—do you agree, agree/setuju, correct/betul, particle tak/not, and do you know—are identified as tools for Malaysian barristers to exert coercive pressure on witnesses. The critical analysis reveals a preference for the tag do you agree due to its coercive power. The paper concludes with a discussion on the theoretical and pragmatic implications of these findings for bilingual adversarial systems or postcolonial jurisdictions. It also highlights the disadvantaged position of laypeople in bilingual courtrooms, offering insights and proposing potential solutions to address these challenges.

Forecast of Corruption: From Ethical to Pragmatic Considerations

From an ethical standpoint, combating corruption is crucial for promoting justice and equality. The rule of law and ethical governance involves clear standards of behavior for public servants and mechanisms for ensuring these standards are upheld. Corruption undermines public trust in government and democratic institutions and exacerbates social inequality and injustice (disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized groups, denying them access to essential services and opportunities). The fight against corruption during a full-scale war has ethical and purely pragmatic implications for Ukraine, the data of which formed the basis of this study. The lack of tangible progress in the fight against corruption in general, the lack of transparency of many institutional mechanisms in public administration, the revealed corruption schemes in the distribution of international military and humanitarian aid, as well as in the field of public defence procurement, the lack of punishment for corrupt officials in the highest echelons of power threaten the loyalty of international donors and allies, reduce Ukraine’s authority in the international arena, slows down Ukraine’s movement towards the EU, and significantly affects the decisions of foreign partners. The article demonstrates the results of forecasting the future level of corruption in Ukraine (for 2024‒2027) based on the retrospective dynamics of the Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International for 1998‒2023. Two economic and mathematical models are used for forecasting: Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), which better reflects long-term historical trends and fluctuations, and the exponential smoothing method, which is more sensitive to the latest values of the time series. The statistical analysis package STATISTICA was used for the calculations. The forecasting results are disappointing since both methods showed an expected decrease in the level of corruption in 2024-2027, but in critically low volumes: by 1 point according to the ARIMA model and by 3-4 points according to the exponential smoothing method. The results of this study can serve as a basis for public advocacy campaigns as an argument for the need to radically revise the existing format of anti-corruption policy in Ukraine given its European future.

Innovative Strategies in Math Education: The Impact of PBL and TaRL on Concept Mastery and Classroom Dynamics

In scrutinizing the amalgamation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach within mathematics pedagogy, extant scholarship scarcely offers a holistic evaluation of their synergistic efficacy. Prior research predominantly accentuates scholastic outcomes, frequently neglecting the ramifications of these models on classroom dynamics, including the nuances of student-teacher interactions and student engagement and participation levels. This study probes the integration of PBL and TaRL models to augment students' comprehension of mathematical principles, employing a mixed-methods research design encompassing qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The investigation centered on seventh-grade students in junior high school, utilizing test instruments to evaluate mathematical comprehension and observational protocols to document student and teacher engagement for enriched insights. Comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data analyses were executed. The findings disclosed significant advancements in students' grasp of mathematical concepts, with observations revealing heightened student engagement and more favorable teacher-student interactions. Statistical analyses evidenced substantial disparities between pre-test and post-test scores (p < 0.05). The results proffer recommendations and pragmatic implications for enhancing mathematics education, underscoring the imperative for teacher professional development in deploying this integrative pedagogical model to elevate the quality of mathematics instruction at the secondary school echelon.

The Role of Language In Ensuring Logical and Reasonable Presentation in Legal Texts

Purpose: The study aims to identify principles and strategies for using language appropriately to ensure the logic, consistency, and clarity of legal texts while adhering to legal rules and requirements. Approach/method: Drawing upon Solan's (2005) insights on the relationship between linguistic structure and legal interpretation, Tiersma's (2008) analysis of how language choices shape legal communication, and Grice's (1989) cooperative principle regarding the effective conveyance of pragmatic implications, the study examines the interplay between logical structure, speech act forces, and pragmatic implications in achieving coherence and intelligibility in legal texts. The research analyzes how elements such as logical structure, speech act forces, and pragmatic implications influence the logic, consistency, and comprehensibility of legal texts. Finding: By analyzing data from 10 indictments across various offenses, the study proposes principles for employing a tight logical structure, selecting appropriate speech act forces for legal utterances, and adhering to cooperative principles to convey meaning clearly. Discussion: Applying appropriate principles and strategies for language use can contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of the legal system, promoting transparency and fairness in legal construction and application.

Transforming data with the arcsine distribution for random walks

This article delves into a pioneering methodology for optimizing the analysis of random walk data by implementing the arcsine distribution. The application of the arcsine distribution serves as an imperceptible yet potent solution, mitigating asymmetry and introducing bounds while effectively modeling the nuanced characteristics intrinsic to random walk patterns. Through a meticulous exploration of the mathematical foundations and practical applications of this distribution, this study discreetly advances statistical methodologies for handling random walk data. The article illuminates the theoretical underpinnings, subtle advantages, and pragmatic implications of arcsine distribution utilization, showcasing its imperceptible yet impactful role in capturing and reshaping random walk dynamics. Through a meticulous exploration of the mathematical foundations and practical applications of this distribution, this study discreetly advances statistical methodologies for handling random walk data, particularly in the context of financial modeling.

Measurement invariance of cognitive and affective job insecurity: A cross-national study

Empirical evidence of established measurement invariance of job insecurity measures may enhance the practical utility of job insecurity as a valid predictor when utilised over different cross-national samples. This study investigated the measurement invariance of the nine-item versions of the Job Security Index (a measure of cognitive job insecurity) and the Job Security Satisfaction Scale (a measure of affective job insecurity), across four countries (i.e. the United States, N = 486; China, N = 629; Italy, N = 482 and South Africa, N = 345). Based on a novel bifactor-(S-1) model approach we found evidence for partial metric, partial scalar and partial strict invariance of our substantive bifactor-(S-1) structure. The results extend measurement invariance research on job insecurity with obvious pragmatic implications (e.g. scaling units, measurement bias over cross-national interpretations).Contribution: This research provides evidence to support the applied use of cross-national comparisons of job insecurity scores across the nationalities included in this study. Theoretically, this research advances the debate about the nature of the relationship between cognitive and affective job insecurity, suggesting that in this cross-national dataset, a model where cognitive job insecurity is specified as the reference domain outperforms a model where affective job insecurity is assigned this status. Practically, it demonstrates that it is sensible and necessary to differentiate between cognitive and affective job insecurity and include measures of both constructs in future research on the construct.

The Role of Reflection and Self-Analysis in Developing Students’ Presentation Skills

This research endeavors to investigate the impact of reflection and self-analysis on the cultivation of academic presentation skills among students enrolled in Indonesian language study programs. Pedagogical approaches integrating reflection and self-analysis are integrated into the curriculum to enhance students’ presentation competencies. Data were gathered through self-reflection forms and presentation performance assessments from a cohort of 110 students before and after the intervention. The findings evince a notable enhancement in students' presentation skills subsequent to the intervention, characterized by a discernible augmentation in self-confidence, proficiency in presentation structuring, and adeptness in addressing queries. The ensuing discourse on the interpretation of the results underscores the pivotal role of reflection and self-analysis in fostering presentation skills development, while also delineating a research lacuna pertaining to comprehending this role within an intercultural context. These findings yield pragmatic implications for facilitating comprehensive and enduring learning outcomes for students within higher education environments.

A Pragmatic Study of Selected Humorous Discourse by Nigerian Stand-up Comedians

One primary communicative goal in humour is entertainment. Nevertheless, other pragmatic implications result when humourists subconsciously deploy various linguistic strategies, as they entertain their audience through the use of witty sayings crafted in contextualised, real or imaginary scenarios. Following Grice’s Cooperative Principle, this study investigates deeper communicative effects achieved by Nigerian stand-up comedians. It pays attention to cases of the flouting of Gricean maxims, and examines the speakers’ discursive motives. Five texts sourced from three distinguished Nigerian stand-up humourists are presented for analysis, given their thematic focus on trending national socio-political discourses. Findings show that maxim flouting is fundamental to creating humour, as all four maxims are flouted, with some utterances flouting more than one. The maxim of quality is flouted the most, thus emphasising its pivotal role in creating humour. Evidence for this is provided in the comedians’ heavy dependence on hypothetical illustrations, exaggerations and understated realities. In addition, instances of incongruous expressions, narrations and manipulation of news reports serve to contextualise humour. Humourists deploy their art to satirise and challenge the national socio-political status quo, thereby subtly revealing their personal ideologies. The work proves further that irrespective of time, audience or context, comedians use the same linguistic tools to amuse their audience while also advancing claims that humour is an expressive use of language, as a vehicle to canvass for social change. Keywords: Pragmatics, Humour, Socio-Political Discourse, Maxim, Communication

Having a Significant Other Reduced Financial Strain During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Utilizing data collected from the 2021 Perspectives on the Pandemic Survey (n= 6,916), part of the Health and Retirement Study, this article examined the role of having a significant other on subjective and objective measures of financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. When controlling for income, net worth, employment status, and demographic characteristics, the empirical results suggest that those who had a significant other, compared with those who did not, experienced less financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ensuing discussion highlights the importance of the protective role of having a significant other in financial health and offers pragmatic implications for financial practitioners.

Change and Prediction of Water Purification Function in the South Bank of Hangzhou Bay in the Past 20 Years

The investigation of regional water purification functionality and its influencing factors holds significant pragmatic implications in understanding the potential of regional water purification, guiding context-specific regional comprehensive planning schemes, and environmental conservation measures. The study site, situated along the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay, represents a prototypical region characterized by intricate land-sea interactions that bear substantial economic and ecological functions. By assimilating a meticulously collected topographical and land-use dataset, in conjunction with site-specific meteorological records, the water purification model embedded within the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST) framework was employed to scrutinize the spatiotemporal dynamics of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads, discharges, and removals within the southern coast of Hangzhou Bay. The prime objective of this study was to unravel the differentials in water purification functionality under diverse developmental scenarios. The investigation unearthed distinct temporal discrepancies in N and P discharges and removals over two temporal dimensions. Relative to the benchmark year 2000, the total N load experienced a reduction of 276.72 t, whereas the N discharge and removals decreased by 140.86 and 137.86 t, respectively, in the year 2020. In contrast, the total P load observed an increase of 93.65 t, accompanied by a surge in P discharge and removals by 28.91 and 64.74 t, respectively. Spatially, the distribution pattern of N and P discharges exhibited a general inclination of elevated values in the northern region and subdued values in the southern region, with certain pockets in the southern region exhibiting pronounced peaks, intimately associated with land-use typologies. Simulation analyses conducted under distinct scenarios unveiled that under the natural development priority scenario, the N and P discharges within the study area amounted to 1 682.36 and 115.50 t, respectively. Conversely, under the scenario emphasizing economic development, the regional N and P discharges showed an approximate escalation of 83.02% and 79.93%, correspondingly. In contrast, under the scenario emphasizing environmental conservation, the regional N and P discharges exhibited a notable decline of approximately 79.96% and 56.44%, respectively. Hence, the scenario prioritizing the amalgamation of environmental conservation and development effectively reduced the N and P discharges within the region, bolstering the water purification functionality. The results derived from this study furnish a solid theoretical foundation for effectuating region-specific planning schemes fostering coordinated economic and ecological advancement within the study area.

Speech act theory (A textual study in the light of the Noble Qur’an)

This research deals with the most important theory in pragmatic linguistics, which is the theory of speech acts. Its definition, origin and development, and the most important differences between its founders, John Austin and John Searle. With clarification of the most important actions of this theory, its types, and its applied models in the space of various Qur’anic texts, and specifying its semantic and pragmatic implications and interpretations. Based on the books of interpretation and an explanation of the reasons for the revelation, through the study of some Quranic discourse and its reading in the light of this modern linguistic trend in analysis and interpretation. Based on Searle's trends and conventions and following his analytical approach in this field due to the novelty of his propositions and their launch from the precise and advanced cognitive foundations of Austen's visions, and for her fame in the deliberative field. The research concluded that the theory of speech acts is the founding theory of deliberative linguistics, and it was established as a result of the dispute over the linguistic sentence (creation and news), and the extent to which it represents thought. He also concluded that John Austin is the first founder of the theory of speech acts, while Searle is considered the most scholarly explanation of its dimensions, a detailed explanation of its totality, and a link to it with other sciences. Finally, he concluded that the verbal acts found a great echo in the Qur’anic space in their direct and indirect directions. Because the Qur’an represents the communicative and interactive reality between individuals at all times and places. Keywords: speech acts, pragmatics, Austin, Searle.

Effect of shading on trichome formation and CAPRICE-like gene expression in tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) leaves

Tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and is highly regarded for its unique taste and health benefits. The traditional practice of shading tea plants before harvest is employed to ensure the production of high-quality Japanese green tea. However, the precise effects of shading on trichome formation, leaf tissue structure, and the expression of related genes remain largely unknown. In the present study, we conducted a comparative analysis to investigate the effect of shading on the aforementioned aspects of tea leaves. Our findings revealed a significant decrease in the number of trichomes in the youngest 1st stage leaves under shaded conditions compared with that under full-light conditions. Histological analyses revealed that epidermal cells in tea leaves under shaded conditions were thinner, further indicating the influence of light on leaf structures. To delve deeper into the regulatory mechanisms, the expression levels of six Camellia sinensis CAPRICE (CsCPC) genes encoding R3 MYB transcription factors, which have been implicated in trichome formation in tea plants, were examined using real-time reverse transcription PCR. Among the six genes, CsCPC-1, Camellia sinensis ENHANCER OF TRY AND CPC 1–2 (CsETC1–2), and CsETC3 exhibited increased expression under shaded conditions, indicating their potential involvement in the light-mediated regulation of tea leaf characteristics. The expression levels of the phenylpropanoid pathway structural genes Camellia sinensis cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (CsC4H), Camellia sinensis cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CsCCR), and Camellia sinensis flavanone 3′ hydroxylase (CsF3′H), were significantly reduced under shaded conditions, suggesting the regulation of phenylpropanoid content. Our study demonstrated that shading treatment induces significant changes in the number of trichomes in younger leaves, alters the width of epidermal cells, and affects the expression levels of CsCPCs and genes related to the phenylpropanoid pathway. These findings have the potential to enhance tea leaf quality, and offer pragmatic implications for tea farming.

The Liberalism of Fear and Public Health Ethics

Abstract This article argues that the liberalism of fear provides a useful theoretical framework for public health ethics in two fronts. First, it helps reconcile the tension between public health interventions and liberal politics. Second, it reinforces the existing justifications for public health interventions in liberal political culture. The article discusses this in the context of political emotions in the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear plays a central role in the experiences of pandemic politics, and such fear is extended to the concern that post-pandemic government would normalize emergency politics and threaten the political culture of liberal democracy. The article proposes that the liberalism of fear provides a theoretical solution not only to alleviate such fear, but also to reconcile the long-established tension between liberal politics and public health intervention. This is particularly so if the liberalism of fear’s characteristic of political realism is taken into account. The article makes two points about this, and discusses their pragmatic implications in the case of compulsory vaccination.

Exploring the emotions and decision-making of consumers for elective healthcare and hedonic adaptation

PurposeThe paper aims to empirically test a framework to predict the desire and intention to engage with an elective health-care procedure and implement a methodology to test the anticipated positive and negative emotions in hedonic adaptation to an elective procedure.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies in USA and Australia (N = 1,200) confirmed the psychometric properties of the key constructs under the chemical peel condition. Two further studies in the USA and Australia (N = 1,100) explored the research question and hypotheses in the adapted model of goal-directed behaviour under the Botox condition. A survey was self-administered to online panels who had previously engaged in such elective procedures.FindingsThe findings highlighted the pragmatic implications for communication and activation strategies to safeguard consumer interests and retain their loyalty.Originality/valueFrom the authors’ best understanding, neither a methodology nor a theoretical framework exists to explore hedonic adaptation to recurring engagement with elective health care. A methodology and theoretical framework will highlight the mood states and factors that predict desire and intention to engage. This can advance the research on hedonic adaptation and decision-making and offer pragmatic suggestions for communication and activation strategies to safeguard consumer interests and retain their loyalty.

Pragmatic Implications of Contextual Constraints and Delivery Styles in Selected Academic Sermons

Academic sermons (preaching tests) which depend largely on pragmatic choices, are used to determine the preachers’ quality and qualification for theological certification. Previous studies on religious discourse have not recognised the influence of delivery constraints on the overall output of academic sermons. This study, therefore, examined the pragmatic implications of the preachers’ choices. The study adopted aspects of pragmatic act theory. Stratification and purposive sampling methods were used to select three seminaries from which data were gathered. The penultimate year student-pastors were purposively selected for data collection and data were subjected to pragmatic analysis. Four performance contexts and six delivery styles with eight strategies demonstrated training-induced delivery constraints, which conditioned preachers’ pragmatic designs and determined their level of compliance to training in the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminaries. The perfect orientation to narrative and prescriptive styles suggested compliance to training, but the partial orientation and complete disorientation to analytical, invocational, affiliative and professing styles implied pragmatic misadjustment and professional deficiencies with implications for pastoral competence.

Unravelling the Impact of Financial Literacy on the Intention of Indian Retail Investors to Adopt Socially Responsible Investments: The Interplay of Social Self-Efficacy as a Mediating Mechanism

In the context of the escalating socio-economic disparities and environmental concerns, this study delves into the intricate interplay among financial literacy (FL), social self-efficacy (SSE) and intentions for socially responsible investment (SRI). Grounded firmly in the theory of planned behaviour, a survey of 235 Indian participants was conducted employing a meticulously structured questionnaire and leveraging Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling software for robust data analysis. The research addresses pivotal questions, examining the impact of FL on fostering positive SRI attitudes, appraising the influence of subjective norms (SNs) on the intentions of Indian investors regarding SRI, and exploring the mediating role of SSE between FL and SRI intentions. The findings underscore the substantive role of FL in shaping positive attitudes towards SRI, exerting a direct influence on SRI propensities. Concurrently, SNs exert a comparable impact on SRI intentions. Notably, the study unravels a dual mediation paradigm, elucidating the sequential mediation of SRI attitude and SSE. The study yields pragmatic implications for fund managers and policymakers. It accentuates the strategic imperative of effective communication of investment benefits, necessitating tailored approaches attuned to cognitive and psychosocial orientations. In essence, the study augments our understanding of the nuanced dynamics guiding sustainable investment decisions, thereby advancing the comprehension of investor behaviour in the domain of responsible investing.

Do you value topic-continuity? The moral foundations of Cappelen’s insistence on ‘topic-continuity’ and reasons for resisting them

ABSTRACT The article reveals the pragmatic implications of Herman Cappelen’s account of ‘topics’ in his contribution to the conceptual engineering literature. I show that Cappelen’s introduction of the category of ‘topics’ serves the pragmatic goal of having a convenient handle to account for ‘continuity in revision’, and that his general insistence on ‘continuity’ is motivated morally and strategically. In asking what accounts for continuity, Cappelen’s ‘topics’ are not defined by content or any other fixed set of rules or criteria. Topics are metaphysically lightweight and defined pragmatically and as we go: speakers talk about the same topic when we (and they) attribute that they do. But why should we do that? Why should we aim for continuity and why should we think it is possible in general? I contrast Cappelen’s insistence on continuity with Rorty’s appeal for discontinuity, and trace both of their positions back to their respective moral background assumptions and their assumptions about what communication is (and is for) and, in turn, what philosophy is (and is about). Further, I question the role the ‘continuity’ claim plays in the current redefinition of linguistic philosophy after the ‘death of the linguistic turn’.