%0 Journal Article 
%A Utrera Ramírez, Inmaculada
%T Pragmatic Failure in the Interpretation of Irony by EFL Learners

%D 2026
%U http://hdl.handle.net/10498/40023
%X This study examines pragmatic failure in the interpretation of irony by EFL learners at 
a B2.2 level. The objectives are to compare whether learner's age influences their ability to 
correctly interpret ironic utterances in English as a Foreign Language (EFL-) and to identify 
the main features that cause EFL learners to misinterpret ironic meaning in English. Using a 
qualitative approach, data were collected through focus group interviews with 11 participants, 
divided into two age groups, who watched clips from Friends and How I Met Your Mother. 
Generally, participants accurately identified irony by relying on contextual and non-verbal 
cues. Findings suggest that pragmatic competence involves linguistic and multimodal 
knowledge in inferential interpretation. The conclusions highlight the pedagogical value of 
authentic audiovisual materials for developing pragmatic competence in EFL contexts and 
suggest future lines of research.

%K Pragmatic competence
%K irony
%K English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
%K pragmatic failure
%K audiovisual materials
%K Competencia pragmática
%K ironía
%K Inglés como lengua extranjera
%K fallo pragmático
%K materiales audiovisuales
%~ Universidad de Cádiz