4. TOPIC 8 WORKSHEET CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS & IMPLICATURE

what maxims may have been flouted. Say

what is the implicature.

1. B has been locked out of her home with no clothes on.

A: Do you want a coat?

B: No, I really want to stand here in the freezing cold stark naked.

QUALITY: Yes, please, that would be nice

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

2. A is asking B about a mutual friend's new boyfriend:

A: is he nice?

B: She seems to like him.

MANNER: I don’t think he is nice but she likes it so…

Also QUANTITY (yes/no question)

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

3. A: Let's have a drink.

B: It's not one o'clock yet

RELATION: it’s way too early!

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

4. Polonius: What do you read my Lord?

Hamlet: Words, words, words.

QUANTITY: boring things. Also MANNER

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

5. A: Are you coming to the party tonight?

B: My parents are visiting

RELATION AND QUANTITY: I can’t come

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

6. A: Do you like ice cream?

B: Is the Pope catholic?

QUANTITY & RELATION: Of course I like it

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

7. There is a woman sitting on a park bench and a large dog is lying on the ground in front

of the bench. A man comes and sits down on the bench:

A: Does your dog bite?

B: No.

(the man reaches down to pet the dog. The dog bites the man's hand).

A: Ouch! Hey! You said your dog doesn't bite!

B: He doesn't. But that's not my dog

QUANTITY: my dog doesn’t

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

8. A: What's on TV tonight?

B: Nothing.

QUALITY and QUANTITY: Nothing interesting

what maxims may have been flouted. Say
what is the implicature.

9. A: What 's your name?

B: Betty Skymitch.

A: Spell it, please.

B: B-E-T-T-Y.

MANNER and QUANTITY: she did not get A refers to the surname (implicature: spell

the surname)