Implicature

Definition

Implicature refers to the meaning that is suggested or implied in communication, rather than explicitly stated. It plays a crucial role in understanding how language functions in context, revealing how speakers convey additional information beyond the literal interpretation of their words.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Implicature is primarily associated with pragmatics, highlighting how context shapes meaning in communication beyond literal word definitions.
2. Grice's Cooperative Principle outlines how speakers generally work together to facilitate effective communication, leading to implicatures when maxims are flouted or adhered to.
3. There are two main types of implicature: generalized implicatures, which apply broadly across contexts, and particularized implicatures, which depend heavily on specific contexts.
4. Scalar implicatures are a subset of conversational implicatures where a speaker implies a weaker statement when a stronger one could have been used, indicating something about the quantity of information.
5. Understanding implicature can help clarify indirect speech acts, where what is said differs from what is meant, such as when requests or suggestions are implied rather than overtly stated.

Review Questions

• How do Grice's maxims relate to the concept of implicature in communication?
  • Grice's maxims provide guidelines for effective communication and cooperation among speakers. When these maxims—Quantity, Quality, Relevance, and Manner—are followed or flouted, they give rise to implicatures. For instance, if a speaker does not provide enough detail (flouting Quantity), listeners may infer additional meaning from the context, leading to a conversational implicature that informs their understanding of the speaker's intent.
• Discuss the differences between generalized and particularized implicatures and provide examples for each.
  • Generalized implicatures are those that can be derived from a wide range of contexts without needing specific contextual information, such as saying 'Some of the cookies are gone' implying 'Not all the cookies are gone.' On the other hand, particularized implicatures rely heavily on context; for example, if someone says 'Can you pass the salt?' in a dinner setting, it implies a request for action rather than just checking the listener’s ability. Understanding these differences helps clarify how speakers convey meanings beyond their explicit words.
• Evaluate how the concept of implicature influences our understanding of direct versus indirect speech acts.
  • The concept of implicature significantly enriches our understanding of direct and indirect speech acts. Direct speech acts have clear meanings that correspond closely with their literal interpretations, while indirect speech acts often rely on implicature to convey deeper or alternative meanings. For example, if someone asks 'Is it cold in here?' as an indirect request for someone to close a window, the implicature suggests concern for comfort rather than merely checking temperature. This analysis reveals how communicative intentions can differ from surface meanings and highlights the complexity of language use.

Related terms

Conversational Implicature: A type of implicature that arises from the way speakers navigate conversation according to social norms and contextual clues, often based on Grice's maxims.

Presupposition:

An implicit assumption about the world or background knowledge shared by participants in a conversation, which is taken for granted by the speaker.

Contextualism:

A philosophical approach that emphasizes the role of context in understanding meaning, suggesting that the interpretation of statements can vary based on situational factors.