Explain the concept of implicature in relation to conversational maxims inference.

Implicature is a concept in pragmatics that refers to the meaning that is implied or inferred from a conversation, rather than explicitly stated. It involves understanding the intended meaning behind a speaker's words by considering the context, conversational maxims, and the speaker's intentions.

Conversational maxims, proposed by philosopher Paul Grice, are a set of principles that guide effective communication. These maxims include the maxim of quantity (providing enough information), quality (being truthful), relation (being relevant), and manner (being clear and concise). However, in actual conversations, speakers often violate these maxims to convey additional meaning.

Implicatures arise when a speaker intentionally violates one or more of these conversational maxims to convey a hidden meaning. This can be done through various linguistic devices, such as irony, sarcasm, or metaphor. For example, if someone asks, "Do you have any plans for the weekend?" and the other person responds, "I have a few errands to run," the implicature is that they do not have any exciting or significant plans.

Grice distinguished between two types of implicatures: conventional and conversational implicatures. Conventional implicatures are derived from the conventional meaning of certain words or phrases. For instance, when someone says, "John is a bachelor," the conventional implicature is that John is unmarried.

Conversational implicatures, on the other hand, are derived from the context and the speaker's intentions. They require the listener to make inferences based on the violation of conversational maxims. For example, if someone says, "I saw a man with a red hat," the conversational implicature might be that the speaker wants to draw attention to the man's red hat, suggesting it is unusual or significant.

In summary, implicature is the inferred meaning that goes beyond the literal interpretation of a speaker's words. It involves understanding the speaker's intentions, context, and the violation of conversational maxims. By recognizing implicatures, we can grasp the implied meaning and better understand the nuances of communication.