DEVELOPING PRAGMATIC AND LINGUOCULTURAL COMPETENCE THROUGH SMALL-GENRE TEXTS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Abstract
This study explores the didactic potential of small-genre texts, particularly anecdotes and jokes, in developing pragmatic and linguocultural competence in foreign language education. Modern communicative language teaching emphasizes not only grammatical accuracy but also the ability to interpret implicit meanings and cultural nuances. Drawing on theoretical frameworks proposed by Dell Hymes, Michael Canale, and Merrill Swain, as well as speech act theory by John L. Austin and John R. Searle, the paper argues that humor-based texts serve as effective tools for fostering communicative competence.
The research employs a qualitative methodological approach, including pragmatic analysis, contextual reconstruction, and pragmatic transformation. These methods enable learners to identify communicative intentions, interpret implicit meanings, and adapt language use across cultural contexts. Additionally, linguocultural analysis facilitates the recognition of national values, stereotypes, and cultural codes embedded in humorous texts.
The findings indicate that systematic integration of small-genre texts enhances students’ pragmatic awareness, intercultural sensitivity, and communicative flexibility. Furthermore, the use of digital tools such as multimedia content and interactive platforms increases learner engagement and motivation. The study concludes that anecdotes and jokes should be treated not as supplementary materials but as core components of an innovative methodological system in foreign language teaching.
Keywords
pragmatic competence, communicative competence, humor, anecdote, linguocultural approach, intercultural communication.How to Cite
References
Austin, J.L., 1962. How to do things with words. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Bachman, L.F., 1990. Fundamental considerations in language testing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Byram, M., 1997. Teaching and assessing intercultural communicative competence. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Canale, M. and Swain, M., 1980. Theoretical bases of communicative approaches. Applied Linguistics, 1(1), pp.1–47. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/I.1.1
Grice, H.P., 1975. Logic and conversation. In: P. Cole and J.L. Morgan, eds. Syntax and Semantics, Vol. 3. New York: Academic Press, pp.41–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6603(08)60045-1
Hymes, D., 1972. On communicative competence. In: J.B. Pride and J. Holmes, eds. Sociolinguistics. Harmondsworth: Penguin, pp.269–293. (DOI: отсутствует)
Kramsch, C., 1998. Language and culture. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/52.4.350
Leech, G., 1983. Principles of pragmatics. London: Longman. (DOI: отсутствует)
Raskin, V., 1985. Semantic mechanisms of humor. Dordrecht: Reidel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6471-3
Searle, J.R., 1979. Expression and meaning: Studies in the theory of speech acts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511609213
van Dijk, T.A., 2008. Discourse and context: A sociocognitive approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511481499Zhao, Y. (2013). Technology and language learning. Cambridge University Press.
Wang, Y., Li, X., & Chen, H. (2024). Pragmatic competence of EFL and ESL learners and its influencing factors: A systematic review. Journal of Pragmatics, 215, 45–60.
Zhou, L., Park, M., & Kim, S. (2024). The role of humor in ESL classrooms: A systematic review of Asian contexts. SAGE Open, 14(2), 1–15.
Nasrullah, M., Ahmad, R., & Khan, S. (2025). Humor and pragmatic competence: Enhancing learners’ interpretative abilities in EFL contexts. European Journal of Humour Research, 13(1), 55–72.
Heidari-Shahreza, M. A. (2024). Humor-integrated language learning (HILL): A new pedagogical framework. European Journal of Humour Research, 12(3), 1–18.
Zhang, Y., & Li, Q. (2024). Developing intercultural communicative competence through pragmatic instruction. Applied Linguistics Review, 15(2), 233–250.
Karimov, B., & Tursunov, D. (2025). Technology-enhanced pragmatic competence development in EFL classrooms. Frontiers in Language Sciences, 6(1), 78–92.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdinazar T. Nurmanov , Ilkhom Т. Rustamov
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
