Presupposition

Definition

Presupposition refers to the background assumptions or beliefs that are taken for granted in communication and that must be accepted for a statement to make sense. It plays a critical role in understanding how information is conveyed, especially in distinguishing between what is already known (given information) and what is newly introduced (new information) in discourse.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Presuppositions can be triggered by certain words or phrases, like 'stop' in 'John stopped smoking,' which presupposes that John used to smoke.
2. They can be classified into different types, including lexical presuppositions (based on word meanings) and structural presuppositions (based on sentence structure).
3. Presuppositions remain constant even if the statement is negated; for instance, 'The king of France is bald' presupposes that there is a king of France regardless of whether the statement is true or false.
4. Identifying presuppositions can help clarify misunderstandings in conversation by making explicit what each party assumes to be true.
5. In conversation, managing presuppositions effectively can enhance coherence and understanding by linking new information to what the audience already knows.

Review Questions

• How does presupposition contribute to the distinction between given and new information in communication?
  • Presupposition helps establish a foundation of given information that the speaker assumes the listener already knows. This background knowledge allows new information to be integrated smoothly into a conversation. For example, when someone says, 'Even though Mary left early, she enjoyed the party,' the presupposition is that Mary attended the party, which serves as a basis for understanding the new information about her enjoyment.
• Discuss how understanding presupposition can aid in clarifying potential misunderstandings in conversations.
  • Recognizing presuppositions can significantly reduce misunderstandings by highlighting assumptions that one party might take for granted. For instance, if a speaker uses a phrase with a presupposition about someone's background or experiences, it may lead to confusion if the listener does not share those assumptions. By addressing these presuppositions explicitly, speakers can ensure that both parties are aligned in their understanding, thus facilitating clearer communication.
• Evaluate the role of presupposition in effective communication and its impact on discourse coherence.
  • Presupposition plays a vital role in effective communication by allowing speakers to connect new ideas to shared knowledge without reiterating everything. This connection fosters discourse coherence because it helps listeners understand how new information relates to what they already know. When speakers skillfully manage presuppositions, it not only streamlines communication but also enhances engagement, making conversations more fluid and meaningful.

Related terms

Implicature: Implicature involves the implied meaning or suggested context that arises from an utterance, which goes beyond its literal meaning.

Entailment:

Entailment refers to the relationship between statements where the truth of one statement guarantees the truth of another.

Context:

Context includes all relevant information surrounding an utterance, including prior knowledge, speaker intentions, and situational factors that influence meaning.