Linguistics\Pragmatics\Implicature
Description
Within the field of linguistics, pragmatics is the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication. Pragmatics extends beyond the literal meanings (semantics) of words and sentences to consider the intentions and beliefs of the speaker, as well as the shared knowledge and assumptions between the speaker and listener.
A key concept within pragmatics is “implicature,” which refers to the process by which a speaker implies something without explicitly stating it, and the listener infers this implied meaning based on context. The term was introduced by philosopher H.P. Grice in his influential work on the theory of conversation.
Grice distinguishes between two main types of implicature: conversational implicature and conventional implicature.
1. Conversational Implicature:
Conversational implicature arises from the principle that communication is a cooperative effort governed by certain conversational maxims. Grice formulated these maxims as part of his Cooperative Principle (CP), which can be summarized with the directive: “Make your contribution such as it is required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepted purpose or direction of the talk exchange in which you are engaged.”
Grice’s Maxims are:
- Maxim of Quantity: Provide the right amount of information, neither too little nor too much.
- Maxim of Quality: Provide information that is true and do not give information that is false or that for which you lack evidence.
- Maxim of Relation: Be relevant.
- Maxim of Manner: Avoid ambiguity and obscurity; be orderly and clear.
For example, if Person A asks, “Are you coming to the party?”, and Person B responds, “I have to work late tonight,” Person B is implicating that they will not be attending the party, even though this was not explicitly stated.
2. Conventional Implicature:
Conventional implicatures are those implicatures that are tied directly to the conventional meanings of specific words or phrases, rather than the general conversational context. Certain expressions always carry an additional, implied meaning regardless of context. For instance, the word “but” in the sentence, “She is intelligent, but lazy,” implies a contrast between intelligence and laziness, an additional meaning not contained in the primary semantic content.
Implicatures, whether conversational or conventional, are an essential aspect of human communication. They allow speakers to convey and listeners to infer nuanced meanings, attitudes, and intentions that go beyond what is explicitly stated, enriching and complicating interpersonal interaction.
In summary, implicature in pragmatics elucidates how much of communication involves reading between the lines and understanding implied meanings, which are critical for effective and nuanced human interactions.