Presupposition

Definition

Presupposition refers to the background assumptions or beliefs that are taken for granted in communication. It plays a crucial role in shaping meaning by affecting how information is interpreted and understood, often relying on shared knowledge between speakers and listeners. This concept highlights how the context of conversation influences comprehension, emphasizing the interplay between language, intention, and inferred meaning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Presuppositions can be triggered by specific linguistic expressions, such as 'stop' in 'She stopped smoking,' which presupposes that she was smoking before.
2. Different types of presuppositions exist, including existential presuppositions (which assume something exists), factive presuppositions (which assume the truth of a proposition), and non-factive presuppositions (which do not require truth).
3. The failure of a presupposition can lead to confusion or miscommunication, as listeners might not share the same background knowledge assumed by the speaker.
4. Inferences about presupposition are influenced by conversational context, making it essential for speakers to consider their audience's knowledge when crafting messages.
5. Presupposition plays a significant role in discourse coherence, helping to link statements and maintain a clear flow of information.

Review Questions

• How do presuppositions affect our understanding of conversations and their meanings?
  • Presuppositions impact understanding by shaping what is considered shared knowledge between speakers and listeners. When one party makes an assumption that the other is unaware of, it can lead to misunderstandings. The effectiveness of communication hinges on both parties recognizing these background assumptions, which helps clarify intended meanings and creates coherence in discourse.
• Discuss how presupposition relates to implicature and context in determining meaning within conversational exchanges.
  • Presupposition intertwines with implicature and context to create layered meanings in conversations. While implicature deals with implied meanings beyond what is explicitly stated, presupposition concerns the background knowledge assumed by the speaker. Context serves as a framework within which both presuppositions and implicatures operate, guiding interpretations based on shared experiences or knowledge. The interplay of these elements ensures effective communication and nuanced understanding.
• Evaluate the role of presupposition in discourse analysis and its implications for understanding coherence in communication.
  • Evaluating presupposition in discourse analysis reveals its critical function in maintaining coherence across conversations. By examining how speakers rely on shared assumptions, we can better understand how information flows logically from one statement to another. This coherence is essential for audience comprehension, as disruptions in expected presuppositions can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Understanding these dynamics not only enhances our grasp of language use but also improves our ability to communicate effectively.

Related terms

Entailment: Entailment is a relationship between statements where one statement necessarily follows from another. If one statement entails another, knowing the first guarantees the truth of the second.

Implicature: Implicature refers to what is suggested in an utterance, even though it is not explicitly stated. This concept is crucial for understanding implied meanings in conversation.

Context: Context encompasses the surrounding circumstances, knowledge, and situational factors that influence communication. It is essential for interpreting presuppositions correctly.