Wk 9 Discussion, Question 2

In the pragmatic perspective communication consists of a system of interlocking, interdependent moves, which have become patterned overtime. The class textbook says that this perspective focuses on the game people play when they communicate. I think that it makes sense to think of communication as a patterned interaction because people tend to do a lot of the same things in communication that follow a specific pattern. Communication is also like a game. When people communicate people always test the waters to find out what they can get away with. They do this to figure out what they can and cannot say. People also know certain steps to take in order to get what they want out of certain people when they communicate with them. On the other hand communication is not like a game because it doesn’t always follow the pattern that people think it will take. You can say something to one person and expect them to come back with a specific response, but they can surprise you and come back with something completely different.