Discourse analysis – understanding what speakers mean despite what they say, taking part in a course of conversation.

As a language users, we are capable of recognizing correct vs incorrect form and structure, we can also make sense of ungrammatical texts.

Cohesion – the ties and connection within the text, that make it logical.

Coherence – arriving at interpretation, making sense of what one reads or hears.

Conversation – activity where speakers take turns at speaking. When the speaker indicates that he has finished, he signals a completion point (asks the question, pauses, facial expressions etc).

Co-operative principle – our contribution to conversation must be appropriate.

Four maxims:

• Quantity: make your contribution as informative as required, not more, not less

• Quality: do not say for what you lack evidence or that is untrue, do not gossip

• Relation: be relevant to the topic

• Manner: be clear, brief and orderly:

avoid obscurity (Eschew obfuscation);

avoid ambiguity

be brief;

be organized;

Background knowledge:

• schema – conventional knowledge structure which exists in memory

• script – dynamic schema consisting of a series of conventional actions (going to the dentist, restaurant)