Philosophy Pragmatics Questions Long
In Jaszczolt's pragmatics, the concept of implicature plays a significant role in understanding how meaning is conveyed in communication. Implicature refers to the meaning that is implied or inferred by the speaker, beyond the literal meaning of the words used. It involves the understanding of what is meant rather than what is explicitly said.
Jaszczolt'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 rational manner, following certain conversational maxims such as 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 these maxims are violated or exploited in a conversation. Jaszczolt distinguishes between two types of implicatures: conventional and conversational implicatures.
Conventional implicatures are derived from conventional meaning associated with certain words or phrases. For example, when someone says "John is a bachelor," the conventional implicature is that John is an unmarried man. This implicature is derived from the conventional meaning of the word "bachelor."
Conversational implicatures, on the other hand, are derived from the context and the speaker's intentions. They go beyond the literal meaning of the words used and rely on the listener's ability to infer the intended meaning. For instance, if someone says "It's hot in here," the conversational implicature might be that the person wants the window to be opened or the air conditioning to be turned on.
Jaszczolt 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 the listener's ability to make relevant assumptions and draw inferences based on this context.
Furthermore, Jaszczolt introduces the concept of default meanings, which are the most likely implicatures in a given context. Default meanings are based on common knowledge, shared assumptions, and cultural norms. They serve as a starting point for understanding implicatures but can be overridden or modified by specific contextual factors.
Overall, Jaszczolt's approach to implicature in pragmatics highlights the dynamic and interactive nature of communication. It recognizes that meaning is not solely determined by the words used but also by the context, intentions, and shared assumptions of the participants. By understanding implicatures, we can grasp the intended meaning behind the words and engage in effective communication.