L2 Pragmatics Research and the Problem of L1 Norms

L2 pragmatics refers to language learners' acquisition of appropriate linguistic and paralinguistic behaviors for a range of communicative functions, such as making a request or apologizing. In order to identify instructional targets and assess learners' pragmatic competence, the field has traditionally relied on the norms of L1 speakers as a standard. However, a number of problems have been associated with this practice related to the appropriateness of L1 norms for L2 learners and to the conception of those norms in the first place. L1 norms may be incompatible with L2 speakers' identities, inappropriate for their local communicative needs, or both. Moreover, the identification of L1 speaker norms has often overlooked pragmatic differences among L1 speakers, which occur as a result of micro- and macrosocial factors. Instead, an idealized and unrealistic view of pragmatic uniformity among L1 speakers is often presented. Given these problems, alternative approaches should be considered for teaching and assessing L2 pragmatic competence.