Gricean Maxims

Cognitive psychology - Language

Define pragmatics.

The relationship between linguistic symbols and their users. (Intended meaning vs. Interpreted meaning)

Define semantics.

The relationship between linguistic symbols and things in the world. (Meaning refers to ideas, objects, etc.)

What is the Korean Air Dilemma?

An incident where Korean air had the worst safety record of a major airline due to communication and pragmatics. Korea is an age-deferential country, and nobody wanted to go against superiors, therefore the plane was basically acting without co-pilots as they wouldn’t point out faults. Problem fixed after firm communication was in place, with co-pilots being more assertive and pilots more attentive.

What is, according to Grice (1975), an implicature?

A hidden meaning in a sentence that is implied instead of asserted.

(E.g. “Want some cake?” “I’m on a diet”, implying no.)

What are the guidelines for efficient communications in the “Cooperative Principle of Communication” (1989)?

The Gricean Maxims.

* Maxim of quality (be truthful)
* Maxim of quantity (be informative)
* Maxim of relation (be relevant)
* Maxim of manner (be clear)

What is the maxim of quality? Give an example.

Do not share information you believe to be false / lacks evidence.

“Lovely weather we’re having” “It’s winter”

What happens when you flout the maxim of quality?

Lying (if intentional).

Statement is clearly false, speaker means opposite (irony)

Speaker intends other meaning to be understood (metaphor)

What is the maxim of quantity? Give an example.

Be informative and convey the right amount of information (not too much, not too little)

“What do you want to eat?” “Food” / “Proteins, fats, carbs…”

What happens when you flout the maxim of quantity?

Unpleasant for listener.

Conveying useless information, indication of unwillingness to decide or indifference / speaker implies lack of knowledge of the listener.

What is the maxim of relation? Give an example.

Convey relevant information.

“Did you enjoy the restaurant?” “Nice tablecloths” / “Car broke down”

What happens when the maxim of relation is flouted?

Incomprehensible to listener.

Disconnected, deliberate avoidance (indirect criticism) / reason why information can’t be given (casual explanation)

What is the maxim of manner? Give an example.

Avoid obscure expressions / ambiguity. Be brief and orderly.

“What did you watch?” “People on a stage acting out the scirpt of x”

What happens when the maxim of manner is flouted?

Incomprehensible to listener

Statement odd or redundant. Implies meaning to contrast conventional response (humour)

Why were the Gricean maxims made?

* Helps craft effective statements
* Provide listeners clues to be able to imply meaning

What is a criticism of the Gricean maxims?

Real conversation is inconsistent with maxims.

However, Grice never intended them to be a theory of every speech behaviour under pressure, he made them guidelines, not rules.