Interpretation as Pragmatics

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-vii

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2. Pragmatics of Interpretation

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 1-34

3. Let Him Have It, Chris

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 35-60

4. Alter Ego

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 61-88

5. The Reader, or: Imposture

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 89-117

6. The Author, or: Intention

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 118-151

7. Language, or: Interpellation

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 152-198

8. Encyclopaedia, or: the Pragmatics of Literature

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 199-231

9. Conclusion

   • Jean-Jacques Lecercle

   Pages 232-237

10. Back Matter

    Pages 238-251

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Why is it that all interpretations are possible, and none is true? That some interpretations are just, but some are false? Lecercle draws on the resources of pragmatics, literary theory and the philosophy of language to propose a new theory of literary, but also of face-to-face, dialogue that charts the interaction between the five participants in the fields of dialogue and/or interpretation: author, reader, text, language and encyclopaedia. Interpretation is taken through its four stages, from glossing and enigma solving to translation and intervention.

• interaction
• Interpretation
• language
• philosophy of language
• pragmatics

JEAN-JACQUES LECERCLE is Professor of English at the University of Nanterre, where he teaches English literature, linguistics and the philosophy of language. He is the author of Philosophy Through the Looking-Glass, The Violence of Language and Philosophy of Nonsense.

Policies and ethics