Relationship between Pragmatic Competence and Communication Skills in Malayalam among Higher Secondary School Students

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between pragmatic competence and communication skills in Malayalam among higher secondary school students. A descriptive research method with a normative survey design was employed. Data were collected from a representative sample of 150 higher secondary students selected through simple random sampling. The tools used in this study are the Pragmatic Competence Test and the Communication Skills Test in Malayalam. Descriptive statistics indicated that students exhibited high levels of both Pragmatic Competence and Communication Skills. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between the two variables, suggesting that students with a greater understanding of language use in social contexts tend to communicate more effectively. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating pragmatic instruction into language education to enhance students’ real-life communication abilities. This study addresses a significant gap in Malayalam language education by emphasizing the role of pragmatic competence in effective communication.