Talk Shows from Around the World

Assumptions:

• 1. We don't adhere to them strictly.
• 2. We interpret what we hear as if what we hear conforms to them.
• 3. Where maxim is violated, we draw implicatures.

Violations

• Quantity -
• Letter of reference: Bob speaks perfect English; he doesn't smoke in the office; and I have never heard him use foul language.
• Quality -
• "Reno is the capital of Nevada, isn't it?"
• "Yeah, and London is the capital of New Jersey."
• Relation -
• "What time is it?"
• "Well, the paper's already come."
• Manner -
• "Let's stop and get something to eat."
• "OK, but not at M-c-D-o-n-a-l-d-s."

Practice

• What maxim is violated? What is the implicature raised?
• 1. "How did Jeff do on the test?"
• "Well, he wrote something down for every question.“
• 2. "Do you know where Bill is?"
• "Well, he didn't meet me for lunch like he was supposed to."

Implicature Across Cultures

• Inner Circle Englishes value the Maxim of Quantity
• Speak directly to the point
• Long pauses are seen as disagreement or hostility
• Japanese English –
• Employs much longer pauses than SAE
• South Asian English –
• Silence on the part of the younger person is seen as agreement or acceptance.

Politeness

• Face – the public self-image that every person wants to claim for him/herself.
• Negative face – the basic claim to freedom of action and freedom from imposition
• Positive face – the positive consistent self-image or ‘personality’ claimed by the person

Threats to Negative Face

• Could you lend me a hundred dollars for a couple of days?
• Imposing a request
• If I were you, I would consult a doctor as soon as possible. That cough sounds dangerous to me.
• Offering a suggestion
• You are so lucky to have such good friends all over the world!
• Compliments (envy)