Systems and methods of applying pragmatics principles for interaction with visual analytics

A method uses natural language processing for visual analysis of a dataset by a computer. The computer displays a data visualization based on a dataset retrieved from a database using a first set of one or more database queries. The computer receives user input (e.g., keyboard or voice) to specify a natural language command related to the displayed data visualization. Based on the displayed data visualization, the computer extracts one or more independent analytic phrases from the natural language command. The computer further computes a set of one or more conversation centers associated with the natural language command based on the set of one or more analytic phrases. The computer then computes a set of analytical functions associated with the set of one or more conversation centers, thereby creating a set of one or more functional phrases. The device then updates the data visualization based on the set of one or more functional phrases.