Pragmatics 2

The true meaning of implicature is...

• tell the exact message

• additional information

• inference

• guessing

Answer explanation

The correct meaning of implicature is providing additional information beyond the literal message.

Discuss the possible conversational implicature in the above conversation:

Person 1: Would you prefer coffee or tea?

Person 2: I like coffee.

• Prefer tea to coffee

• Prefer coffee to tea

• Love tea

• Hate tea

Answer explanation

Person 2's response 'I like coffee' implies a preference for coffee over tea, indicating they prefer coffee to tea.

Fill in the blank (no more than 2 words):

"Implicature accounts for what a speaker can ......., .....or mean as distinct from what the speaker literally says."

• imply, advice

• say, advice

• imply, suggest

• invite, suggest

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'imply, suggest' because implicature refers to what a speaker can imply or suggest, not just what they say literally.

How many maxims of implicature?

• 1

• 2

• 4

• 5

Answer explanation

There are 4 maxims of implicature, so the correct answer is 4.

What are the maxims of quantity?

• Speakers should be brief and orderly, and avoid obscurity and ambiguity.

• Speakers should be as informative as is required, that they should give neither too little information nor too much.

• Speakers are assumed to be saying something that is relevant to what has been said before.

• Speakers are expected to be sincere, to be saying something that they believe corresponds to reality.

Answer explanation

The maxims of quantity dictate that speakers should be as informative as required, giving neither too little nor too much information.

What is the maxim of manner?

• Speakers should be brief and orderly, and avoid obscurity and ambiguity.

• Speakers should be as informative as is required, meaning they should give neither too little nor too much information.

• Speakers are assumed to be saying something that is relevant to what has been said before.

• Speakers are expected to be sincere, to be saying something that they believe corresponds to reality.

Answer explanation

The maxim of manner states that speakers should be brief and orderly, avoiding obscurity and ambiguity, making the correct choice 'Speakers should be brief and orderly, and avoid obscurity and ambiguity.'

What is the difference between implicature and literal meaning?

• Implicature is the exact message while literal meaning is additional information.

• Implicature is inference while literal meaning is guessing.

• Implicature accounts for what a speaker can imply or mean as distinct from what the speaker literally says.

• Implicature is the same as literal meaning.

Answer explanation

Implicature is the exact message while literal meaning is additional information. This choice correctly distinguishes between the two concepts.

How does implicature contribute to effective communication?

• It confuses the listener.

• It provides clarity and deeper understanding.

• It is irrelevant in communication.

• It hinders the flow of conversation.

Answer explanation

Implicature contributes to effective communication by providing clarity and deeper understanding, helping to convey implicit meanings beyond the literal words spoken.