Previous studies suggest that grammar is a prerequisite to Language 2 or second/foreign language (L2) pragmatic acquisition, although high grammatical competence does not guarantee high pragmatic competence. This study more extensively examines the correlation between these two competencies. In the year 2013 at a North American university, 29 Spanish students at the intermediate-high level took a grammar test and a pragmatic test. The pragmatic test assessed requests, invitations, refusals, and apologies in Spanish. In comparing the two, the results suggest a positive relationship between pragmatic and grammatical competencies. Therefore, this research supports previous studies showing that the grammatical competence of students of foreign languages is necessary for the development of pragmatic competence; however, it is not sufficient for it in and of itself.

Estudios sugieren que la gramática es un prerrequisito a la adquisición pragmática en la Lengua 2 o segunda lengua/lengua extranjera (L2), aunque una alta competencia gramatical no garantice una alta competencia pragmática. Este estudio examina extensamente la correlación entre estas dos competencias. En el año 2013, en una universidad norteamericana, 29 estudiantes de español de nivel intermedio-alto hicieron una prueba de gramática y una de pragmática. La segunda evaluó las solicitudes, las invitaciones, los rechazos y las disculpas en español. Al comparar las dos competencias, los resultados sugieren que existe una relación positiva entre la pragmática y la gramática. Por tanto, esta investigación apoya estudios previos que demuestran que la competencia gramatical de estudiantes de L2 es necesaria para el desarrollo de la competencia pragmática; sin embargo, no...

Previous studies suggest that grammar is a prerequisite to Language 2 or second/foreign language (L2) pragmatic acquisition, although high grammatical competence does not guarantee high pragmatic competence. This study more extensively examines the correlation between these two competencies. In the year 2013 at a North American university, 29 Spanish students at the intermediate-high level took a grammar test and a pragmatic test. The pragmatic test assessed requests, invitations, refusals, and apologies in Spanish. In comparing the two, the results suggest a positive relationship between pragmatic and grammatical competencies. Therefore, this research supports previous studies showing that the grammatical competence of students of foreign languages is necessary for the development of pragmatic competence; however, it is not sufficient for it in and of itself.