Nonconventional Implicature

Understanding Nonconventional Implicature

Nonconventional implicature refers to the meaning that a speaker conveys which is not explicitly stated in their utterance. This type of implicature arises from the context of the conversation and the shared knowledge between participants.

Key Concepts

Unlike conventional implicatures, which are tied to the meaning of specific words, nonconventional implicatures are context-dependent. They are typically derived using general principles of communication, such as Grice’s Cooperative Principle and its associated maxims.

• Conversational Maxims: Quantity, Quality, Relation, Manner.
• Context: The situational, social, and linguistic environment.
• Inference: The listener’s process of deriving the implied meaning.

Deep Dive: Gricean Maxims

H.P. Grice’s theory posits that speakers generally adhere to maxims of conversation. When a speaker appears to violate a maxim, listeners infer an implicature. For example, if asked about a friend’s job performance and the response is “He’s a great guy who loves his job,” the listener might infer, due to the omission of direct praise, that the friend is not actually good at their job.

Applications in Communication

Understanding nonconventional implicature is crucial in:

• Pragmatics: The study of language in use.
• Linguistics: Analyzing how meaning is conveyed.
• Artificial Intelligence: Developing natural language understanding systems.
• Everyday Conversation: Navigating social interactions effectively.

Challenges and Misconceptions

A common misconception is confusing nonconventional implicature with literal meaning. The inference process can be complex and sometimes lead to misinterpretation if contextual cues are missed or misunderstood. It’s not about what is said, but what is meant.

FAQs

What is the difference between conventional and nonconventional implicature?
Conventional implicature is tied to specific words (e.g., ‘but’), while nonconventional implicature relies heavily on context and general conversational principles.

How do we recognize nonconventional implicatures?
By observing the context, the speaker’s utterance, and applying principles of rational communication, inferring what is implied rather than stated.