Philosophy Pragmatics Questions Medium
Implicature is a concept in pragmatics that refers to the meaning conveyed indirectly or implicitly in a conversation. It involves understanding the intended meaning beyond the literal interpretation of the words used. Conversational implicature, on the other hand, focuses specifically on the implicatures that arise during a conversation.
In order to comprehend implicatures, it is important to recognize that communication involves more than just the words spoken. Conversational implicatures arise from various factors such as the context, the speaker's intentions, and the shared knowledge between the participants. These implicatures can be categorized into two types: conventional implicature and conversational implicature.
Conventional implicature refers to the meaning that is associated with certain words or phrases based on conventional usage. 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 implicature, on the other hand, is derived from the specific context and the speaker's intentions. It involves understanding what the speaker implies or intends to convey beyond the literal meaning of their words. For instance, if someone says "It's cold in here," the conversational implicature could be that they want someone to close the window or turn up the heat.
Grice's Cooperative Principle and Maxims play a significant role in understanding conversational implicature. The Cooperative Principle states that in a conversation, participants are expected to cooperate and contribute relevant information. The Maxims, which include the Maxim of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner, provide guidelines for effective communication. Violations or flouting of these maxims can lead to implicatures.
For example, if someone asks "Do you have any siblings?" and the response is "I have a brother," the implicature could be that the speaker does not have any sisters. This implicature is derived from the Maxim of Quantity, as the speaker provides the least amount of information necessary to answer the question.
In conclusion, implicature is a crucial aspect of conversational understanding and comprehension. It involves deriving meaning beyond the literal interpretation of words based on the context, speaker's intentions, and shared knowledge. Recognizing and interpreting implicatures contribute to effective communication and a deeper understanding of the intended meaning in conversations.