What is pragmatic analysis?

Pragmatic analysis is the study of what is intended by a speaker and how it is or should be interpreted by the listener. Pragmatics focuses on the meanings behind the words because people may say one thing but mean another.

People normally say things in specific ways dependent upon whom they are speaking to. The context of the conversation may be the reason the speaker shrouds his meaning with other words. However, context can cause the listener to infer a meaning that is not intended. Pragmatic analysis of statements is often a source of controversy between people — especially in personal, business and diplomatic relationships.