Cooperation and Implicature (Conversational Implicature) When people talk with each other, they try to converse smoothly and successfully. Cooperation is the basis of successful conversations The concept and the function of cooperation and implicature are fundamentally linked.

Cooperation can be understood as an essential factor when speakers and listeners are interacting, in other words, it is the expectation that the listener has towards the speaker. It is attained when a speaker intends to communicate more than just what the words mean.

An example ‘ ’we must remember your telephone bill’’ she said, hinting that Louise had talked long enough. ‘’Good bye’’ said Louise. Implicature is an additional conveyed meaning. Tautologies can be used in a conversation, when the speaker intends to communicate more than what is said..

Cooperative Principle: Four Maxims 1.QUANTITY: information (i) Make your contribution as informative as is required for the current purpose of exchange. (ii) Do not make your contribution more informative than is required. 2. QUALITY: truth Try to make your contribution one that is true. (i) Do not say what you believe to be false. (ii) Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence.

3. RELATION: BE RELEVANT; 4. Manner: Be perspicuous. 1. Avoid obscurity. 2.Avoid ambiguity. 3. Be brief and orderly.

Observing the maxims Husband: Where are the car keys? Wife: they’re on the table in the hall. The wife has answered a.clearly (Manner) b.Truthfully (Quality) c.Given the right amount of information (Quantity) d.Addressed her husband’s goal in asking the question (Relation)

Non-observance of the maxims Flouting a maxim Example: The speaker is Rubert Allason. He is discussing the identity of the so called ‘Fifth Man’ It was either Graham Mitchell or Roger Hollis and I don’t believe it was Roger Hollis. (the maxim of quantity has been breached) Why?

Example: Late on christmas Eve 1993, an ambulance is sent to pick up a man who has collapsed in Newcastle city centre. The man is drunk and vomits all over the ambulanceman who goes to help him. The ambulanceman says: “Great, that’s really great! That’s made my Christmas” (the maxim of quality has been breached)

Example: Interviewer: Did the United States Government play any part in Duvalier’s departure? Did they, for example, actively encouraged him to leave? Official: I would not try to steer you away from that conclusion (the maxim of Manner has been breached)

Example Man: Does your dog bite? Woman: No. The man reaches down to pet the dog. The dog bites the man's hand. Man: Quch! Hey! You said your dog doesn't bite. Woman: He doesn't. But that's not my dog

Asking the question, the man assumes that the dog belongs to the woman. The woman's answer provides less information than expected. The maxim of quantity is flouted. Is the woman willing to talk with the man? (Your answer is the implicture)

Hedges Maxim of quality for cooperative interaction may be best measured by number of expressions we use to indicate that what we are saying may not be totally accurate. ( p 38 & 39 ) (any way, well, Oh, by the way, I guess, somewhat) They can be used to stop such discussion.

Examples 1. Wife: I hope you brought the bread and the cheese. Husband : Ah, I brought the bread. The husband has conveyed more than he has said via a conversational implicature. 2. I’m not sure if this right, but I heard they were separated. 3. She couldn’t live with him, I guess.

Implicature Changes Consider the question (How old are you?) and How it is used in the three following examples: A young boy is talking to a colleague of his father: 1. A: it’s my birthday. B: Many happy returns. How old are you? 2. This example is taken from a novel. Speaker A is talking to his son A: How old are you George? B: I’m 18, father A: I know how old are you, you fool 3. A psychiatrist is talking to a woman patient A: what do you do? B: I’m a nurse, but my husband won’t let me work. A: How old are you? B: I’m 39