Implicature

Understanding Implicature

Implicature is a key concept in pragmatics, the study of how context contributes to meaning. It refers to the meaning that is implied by the speaker but not explicitly stated. This unstated meaning is derived from the literal meaning of the words used, combined with the context of the utterance and general conversational principles.

Key Concepts

Developed by philosopher H.P. Grice, implicature is built upon the Cooperative Principle, which suggests that participants in a conversation cooperate to achieve a common goal. This principle is further broken down into four maxims:

• Quantity: Be as informative as required, but not more.
• Quality: Be truthful; do not say what you believe to be false.
• Relation: Be relevant.
• Manner: Be clear, brief, and orderly.

When a speaker appears to violate these maxims, listeners often infer an implicature to preserve the assumption of cooperation. For example, if someone asks if you liked a book and you reply, ‘It had pages,’ you are likely implying you didn’t particularly enjoy it, rather than stating a neutral fact.

Types of Implicature

Grice distinguished between two main types of implicature:

Conversational Implicature

This arises from the use of particular linguistic expressions or from the general way an utterance is used in a specific context. It is context-dependent and can be cancelled or altered by further information. Conventional implicature, on the other hand, is associated with specific words and their conventional meanings, independent of context.

Conventional Implicature

These are meanings that are not part of the literal, truth-conditional content of an utterance but are nonetheless part of the conventional meaning of the words used. For example, the word ‘but’ conventionally implicates a contrast, even though it doesn’t change the truth conditions of the sentence.

Deep Dive: Generalized vs. Particularized

Implicatures can be further categorized:

• Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI): These arise without needing special circumstances or context. For instance, saying ‘Some students passed the exam’ generally implicates that *not all* students passed.
• Particularized Conversational Implicature (PCI): These depend heavily on the specific context of the utterance. If you say ‘It’s cold in here’ to someone near a window, you might be implying they should close it.

Applications and Significance

Understanding implicature is crucial for effective communication. It explains how we convey subtle meanings, sarcasm, politeness, and indirect requests. In literature and rhetoric, implicature is used to create layers of meaning, engage the reader, and enhance persuasive power. It’s also vital in fields like artificial intelligence for natural language processing.

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common challenge is distinguishing between what is literally said and what is implied. Misinterpreting implicatures can lead to misunderstandings and communication breakdowns. It’s also important to note that implicatures are defeasible, meaning they can be cancelled or revoked.

FAQs

What is the difference between implication and implicature?

Implication often refers to logical entailment, where a conclusion necessarily follows from premises. Implicature, however, is about inferred meaning based on conversational norms and context, going beyond strict logical deduction.

Can implicatures be false?

Implicatures themselves are not true or false; they are inferred meanings. However, the literal statement that gives rise to the implicature can be true or false. The implicature can also be ‘false’ in the sense that the speaker might intend to mislead or the listener might misinterpret.