Final answer:
True. Focusing on what people mean rather than word definitions is pragmatic meaning, which considers the context and purpose of language. Pragmatists believe language creates varying realities for different communities based on their communicative practices and expectations.
Explanation:Pragmatic Theory and Language Meaning
To focus on what people mean when they speak, rather than on what the words themselves mean, is indeed to focus on pragmatic meaning. This is true because pragmatic meaning deals with the contexts, intentions, and circumstances under which linguistic expressions are used, going beyond the literal interpretation of words. The pragmatists argued that language about reality is a construct that varies among different groups and meets their communicative expectations—thereby shaping their own realities. Language, in this view, is not just a simple mirror of objective reality but an active participant in societal functions and the creation of meaning.
The pragmatic theory of truth posits that the truth of a statement is dependent on its practical success and application. Philosophical perspectives, such as those offered by William James, suggest that through this practice-based approach, a stable body of knowledge can be attained. This view reshapes our understanding of concepts like knowledge, language, and truth by focusing on their applied efficacy in different contexts and experiences, rather than as static representations of an unchanging reality.
Understanding language from a pragmatic perspective is essential since a word or phrase may have different implications or connotations based on cultural and social nuances. The function or purpose of language, therefore, becomes critical in discerning the intended message—be it expressing facts, values, or guiding actions. This is aligned with the thought that there is no singular, immutable reality but rather constructed interpretations facilitated by language within particular communities.