Philosophy Pragmatics Questions Long
In Blakemore's pragmatics, implicature plays a crucial role in understanding the meaning conveyed in communication. Implicature refers to the additional meaning that is inferred or implied by a speaker beyond the literal meaning of their words. It involves the use of context, background knowledge, and shared assumptions to derive the intended meaning.
Blakemore's approach to implicature is influenced by the work of philosopher H.P. Grice, who proposed the Cooperative Principle. According to the Cooperative Principle, speakers are expected to communicate in a cooperative and informative manner, following four maxims: the maxim of quantity (providing enough information), the maxim of quality (being truthful), the maxim of relevance (staying on topic), and the maxim of manner (being clear and concise).
Implicatures arise when a speaker violates one of these maxims, leading the listener to infer a meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation. Blakemore distinguishes between two types of implicature: conventional and conversational implicatures.
Conventional implicatures are associated with specific words or phrases that carry additional meaning. For example, the word "but" in a sentence often signals a contrast or contradiction. The conventional implicature of "but" is derived from the shared understanding of its meaning within a particular language community.
Conversational implicatures, on the other hand, are derived from the context and the speaker's intentions. They involve making inferences based on the assumption that the speaker is adhering to the Cooperative Principle. For instance, if someone says, "I have a lot of work to do," in a casual conversation, the conversational implicature might be that they are too busy to engage in any other activities.
Blakemore emphasizes the importance of context in determining implicatures. Context includes not only the immediate linguistic context but also the broader situational and cultural context. The interpretation of implicatures relies on shared knowledge, assumptions, and expectations between the speaker and the listener.
Furthermore, Blakemore highlights the role of inference in implicature. Listeners actively engage in inferential processes to derive implicatures from the speaker's utterances. These inferences involve reasoning about what the speaker intended to convey and what would make the conversation coherent and meaningful.
In conclusion, implicature plays a significant role in Blakemore's pragmatics by allowing speakers to convey additional meaning beyond the literal interpretation of their words. It involves the violation of the Cooperative Principle and relies on context, shared assumptions, and inference. Understanding implicatures is crucial for effective communication and the interpretation of meaning in everyday interactions.