Book Review - Second Language Pragmatics, by Naoko Taguchi and Carsten Roever, Oxford/New York, Oxford University Press, 2017, viii+328 pp.,£40.00. ISBN9780194200585

Abstract

Second Language Pragmatics is a newly published book by two leading scholars in this field. As the name suggests, second language (L2) pragmatics is an interdisciplinary field of pragmatics and L2 research, which mainly focuses on the investigation of speech acts, and to a lesser extent, conversational structure and conversational implicature (Ren, 2015). In recent years, L2 pragmatics has developed rapidly and expanded its research focuses and scopes. Thus, this book is a welcome one that provides an up-to-date comprehensive overview of the field, points out problems in the current state, and offers suggestions to take research further. The book consists of 10 chapters. In addition to the introduction (Chapter 1) and conclusion (Chapter 10), it covers eight themes through chapters 2 to 9: disciplinary domain and history of L2 pragmatics, theoretical models, research methods, developmental trajectories in pragmatic learning, individual characteristics in pragmatics learning and development, contexts for pragmatic development, L2 pragmatics instruction and assessment, and L2 pragmatics and globalization. In the introductory chapter, the concept of L2 pragmatics is elucidated based on the definitions of pragmatics and three sub-fields under it: cross-cultural pragmatics, intercultural pragmatics, and interlanguage pragmatics. Research in L2 pragmatics in the last three decades is briefly reviewed, followed by the purpose and structure of the book. Chapter 2 is dedicated to the discussion of major contributing disciplines, including second language acquisition, general pragmatics, speech acts and implicature, anthropology (particularly politeness research in context), and conversation analysis. The elaboration of theoretical models of pragmatic learning and development constitutes the focus of Chapter 3. Seven theoretical perspectives are elaborated on to explain mechanisms which drive pragmatic learning and development, including the two-dimensional model, the noticing hypothesis, skill acquisition theories, collaborative dialogue and language-related episodes, sociocultural theory, language socialization, and conversation analysis. Thus, the chapter examines more theoretical models applied in L2 pragmatics than the perspectives discussed in Kasper (2001), demonstrating the development of this field with respect to theoretical approaches. Chapter 4 focuses on research methods currently being employed in L2 pragmatics. The methods are analyzed according to three different kinds of resulting data: receptive, non-interactive production, and interactive production. Each type of data and some typical research instruments are discussed in detail. Procedures of data analysis are also expanded on, with verbal protocols being addressed at the end of the chapter. In Chapter 5, which explores developmental trajectories in L2 pragmatics learning, longitudinal studies in this field are reviewed, with a focus on speech act, extended discourse, implicature comprehension, recognition, and production of routine formulae. L2 pragmat...