the logic of conversation

The Logic of ConversationThe Logic of Conversation

Prof. A. ElhalouiProf. A. Elhaloui

2 types of «irrationalities»2 types of «irrationalities»

InherentInherent conversationalconversational

Read TEXTs 1 and 2Read TEXTs 1 and 2

He was chained to the wall by a chain He was chained to the wall by a chain that was attached to the wall-that was attached to the wall-

Example of Example of inherentinherent ”irrationalities” ”irrationalities”

True, true. The only other occupant was True, true. The only other occupant was another occupant- Apart from that he another occupant- Apart from that he was the only other occupant.was the only other occupant.

Example of Example of inherentinherent ”irrationalities” ”irrationalities”

Is there other way out of here? How about that window there?Oh, you can’t eat that. Would you like to share my supper?

Examples of Examples of conversationalconversational ”irrationalities””irrationalities”

QuestionQuestion

• How can a conversation be ”rational”?How can a conversation be ”rational”?

• A part of the answer answer:A part of the answer answer: Meaning should be Meaning should be 1.1. clear clear 2.2. explicitexplicit3.3. literalliteral4.4. straightforwardstraightforward5.5. etc.etc.

Did you bring enough food for the

party?


party?

I’d say that you made just the right amount-if a couple of hundred people

show up.


show up.

I didn’t bring more food !I didn’t bring more food !Is meaning Is meaning 1.1.clear, clear, 2.2.explicit, explicit, 3.3.literal, literal, 4.4.straightforward?straightforward?•Certainly it is Certainly it is NOTNOT. . Still Still from the literal from the literal meaning, the hearer meaning, the hearer understands something understands something beyond the literal beyond the literal meaningmeaning

Does Tom have a good job right

now?


now?

Well, he goes to Agadir every

weekend.


weekend.

It seems that he does!It seems that he does!

Is meaning Is meaning 1.1.clear, clear, 2.2.explicit, explicit, 3.3.literal, literal, 4.4.straightforward?straightforward?•Certainly it is Certainly it is NOTNOT. . Still Still from the literal from the literal meaning, the hearer meaning, the hearer understands something understands something beyond the literal beyond the literal meaningmeaning

I don’t think any guests are coming

to visit today, buddy.



What? Not one? You must be joking! Not one man? It can’t be true! There

must be a flood! There must have been a tornado!



I am amzed no one is coming today !I am amzed no one is coming today !


Prom dressProm dress

What are you wearing to the

football game on Saturday?

What are you wearing to the

football game on Saturday?

I’m wearing my prom dress !

I’m wearing my prom dress !

Of course a football dress !


William Forbes Dupont

Ivana, why are you Ivana, why are you going on a date going on a date

with William with William Forbes Dupont ?Forbes Dupont ?

Ivana, why are you Ivana, why are you going on a date going on a date

with William with William Forbes Dupont ?Forbes Dupont ?

Uh, because he’s Uh, because he’s really, uh, sweet !really, uh, sweet ! Uh, because he’s Uh, because he’s

really, uh, sweet !really, uh, sweet !

Of course not because he is sweet; because of his money!


Formal LogicFormal Logic• The rationality of conversation is certainly different from The rationality of conversation is certainly different from

«mathematical» (= formal) rationality:«mathematical» (= formal) rationality:

1.1. All psycholinguists are clever.All psycholinguists are clever.2.2. Jim is a psycholinguist.Jim is a psycholinguist.

implies that Jim is clever.implies that Jim is clever.

All psycholinguists are clever. Jim is a All psycholinguists are clever. Jim is a psycholinguist. So Jim is clever!psycholinguist. So Jim is clever!

All psycholinguists are clever. Jim is a All psycholinguists are clever. Jim is a psycholinguist. So Jim is clever!psycholinguist. So Jim is clever!

Conversational LogicConversational Logic

WHAT IS THE LOGICAL BASIS FOR THESE INFERENCES?WHAT IS THE LOGICAL BASIS FOR THESE INFERENCES?

When we draw a non-literal meaning from a When we draw a non-literal meaning from a literal meaning, we are making an inferenceliteral meaning, we are making an inference

Does Tom have a good job right now?

----- well he goes to Agadir every weekend.

The first one to address and answer this question was the American philosopher H. Paul Grice (1975, “Logic and conversation.”)

The first one to address and answer this question was the American philosopher H. Paul Grice (1975, “Logic and conversation.”)

The Cooperative PrincipleThe Cooperative Principle Grice’s answer involves understanding the basic principle that gets

conversations going.

"Make your contribution to the conversation such as is "Make your contribution to the conversation such as is required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepted required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepted purpose or direction of the exchange in which you are purpose or direction of the exchange in which you are engaged."engaged."

"Make your contribution to the conversation such as is "Make your contribution to the conversation such as is required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepted required, at the stage at which it occurs, by the accepted purpose or direction of the exchange in which you are purpose or direction of the exchange in which you are engaged."engaged."

The Cooperative PrincipleThe Cooperative Principle

The Cooperative Principle is expressed in The Cooperative Principle is expressed in terms of a set of maximsterms of a set of maxims

Grice’s MaximsGrice’s Maxims

Maxims of Quantity1.“Make your contribution as informative as required.”

2. “Don’t make your contribution less or more informative than is required.”

Maxims of Quantity1.“Make your contribution as informative as required.”

2. “Don’t make your contribution less or more informative than is required.”

A: How do I look?A: How do I look?B: Your shoes are B: Your shoes are awesome!awesome!

A: How do I look?A: How do I look?B: Your shoes are B: Your shoes are awesome!awesome!

A: How do I look?A: How do I look?B: awesome!B: awesome!A: How do I look?A: How do I look?B: awesome!B: awesome!

Dad: Have you done your homework?Son: I’ve done my math.Dad: Then get busy and do your English!

Dad: Have you done your homework?Son: I’ve done my math.Dad: Then get busy and do your English!

Math + EnglishMath + English

Quantity hedgesQuantity hedges1.1. Roughly, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of Roughly, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of

a professional coach.a professional coach.2.2. More or less, your friend does More or less, your friend does 3.3. I can’t tell you more than that it’s risky to go for that option. I can’t tell you more than that it’s risky to go for that option. 4.4. to some extent, she is now quite ready to accept her new situation.to some extent, she is now quite ready to accept her new situation.5.5. all in all, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of a all in all, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of a

professional coach.professional coach.6.6. in short, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of a in short, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of a

professional coach.professional coach.7.7. basically, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of basically, NO student can pass that exam without the assistance of

a professional coach.a professional coach.

Grice’s MaximsGrice’s MaximsMaxims of Quality (Be truthful.)1.“Don’t say what you believe to be false.”

2. “Don’t say what you lack adequate evidence for.” TEXT 3

Maxims of Quality (Be truthful.)1.“Don’t say what you believe to be false.”


A:A: I’ll ring you tomorrow I’ll ring you tomorrow afternoon then.afternoon then.B: B: Erm, I shall be there, and in Erm, I shall be there, and in the meantime have a word the meantime have a word with Mum and Dad if they’re with Mum and Dad if they’re free. Right, bye-bye then free. Right, bye-bye then sweetheart.sweetheart.A:A: Bye-bye. Bye-bye.


A:A: I’ll ring you tomorrow I’ll ring you tomorrow afternoon then.afternoon then.B: B: Erm, I shall be there Erm, I shall be there as far as as far as I know, I know, and in the meantime and in the meantime have a word with Mum and have a word with Mum and Dad if they’re free. Right, bye-Dad if they’re free. Right, bye-bye then sweetheart.bye then sweetheart.A:A: Bye-bye. Bye-bye.


Quality hedgesQuality hedges

1.1. Some people believe that a financial crisis is Some people believe that a financial crisis is at the door.at the door.

2.2. It is quite right what people say: that a It is quite right what people say: that a financial crisis is at the door.financial crisis is at the door.

3.3. It’s well-known that a financial crisis is at the It’s well-known that a financial crisis is at the door.door.

4.4. As you and I both know a financial crisis is at As you and I both know a financial crisis is at the door.the door.

Grice’s MaximsGrice’s MaximsMaxims of Quality (Be truthful.)1.“Don’t say what you believe to be false.”


Maxims of Quality (Be truthful.)1.“Don’t say what you believe to be false.”






Grice’s MaximsGrice’s Maxims

Maxims of RelationBe relevantMaxims of RelationBe relevant

A: There’s somebody at the door!A: There’s somebody at the door!B: I am not free to see them now.B: I am not free to see them now.A: There’s somebody at the door!A: There’s somebody at the door!B: I am not free to see them now.B: I am not free to see them now.

A: There’s somebody at the door!A: There’s somebody at the door!B: I am in the bath.B: I am in the bath.A: There’s somebody at the door!A: There’s somebody at the door!B: I am in the bath.B: I am in the bath.

Relation hedgesRelation hedges

1.1. by the way…by the way…2.2. anyway…, anyway…, 3.3. this may not be relevant/timely but…, this may not be relevant/timely but…, 4.4. I might mention at this point…, I might mention at this point…,

Grice’s MaximsGrice’s MaximsMaxims of Manner: (Be perspicuous.)1. “Avoid obscurity of expression.”2. “Avoid ambiguity.”3. “Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity).”4. “Be orderly.”

Maxims of Manner: (Be perspicuous.)1. “Avoid obscurity of expression.”2. “Avoid ambiguity.”3. “Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity).”4. “Be orderly.”

A: I hear you went to the opera A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead last night; how was the lead singer?singer?B: she sang badly.B: she sang badly.

A: I hear you went to the opera A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead last night; how was the lead singer?singer?B: she sang badly.B: she sang badly.

A: I hear you went to the opera A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead last night; how was the lead singer?singer?B: she produced a series of B: she produced a series of sounds corresponding closely sounds corresponding closely to the score of an aria from to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto“!"Rigoletto“!

A: I hear you went to the opera A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead last night; how was the lead singer?singer?B: she produced a series of B: she produced a series of sounds corresponding closely sounds corresponding closely to the score of an aria from to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto“!"Rigoletto“!

Manner hedgesManner hedges1.1. what I meant was…, what I meant was…, 2.2. more clearly…, more clearly…, 3.3. to put it more simply…, to put it more simply…, 4.4. you see, you see, 5.5. yeah?, yeah?, 6.6. got it?, got it?, 7.7. OK?, OK?, 8.8. is that clear?, is that clear?, 9.9. see?see?

Note …Note …

ImplicatureImplicature

If speakers assume the maxims to be operative, then they can determine from what was literally said what the speaker intends.

If speakers assume the maxims to be operative, then they can determine from what was literally said what the speaker intends.

The intended meaning that the speaker infers is called:The intended meaning that the speaker infers is called:


party?


party?


show up.


show up.

I didn’t bring more food !I didn’t bring more food !



now?


now?


weekend.


weekend.

It seems that he does!It seems that he does!ImplicatureImplicature









I am amzed no one is coming today !I am amzed no one is coming today !


The Nature of the MaximsThe Nature of the Maxims

• Although the maxims have the form of Although the maxims have the form of prescriptiveprescriptive statements, they are not.statements, they are not.

• Rather, they are Rather, they are observationsobservations that encode the that encode the assumptions that speakers are using in actual assumptions that speakers are using in actual discourse situations.discourse situations.

• We can see how people follow these maxims to We can see how people follow these maxims to deduce speaker’s meaning in simple examples.deduce speaker’s meaning in simple examples.

ImplicaturesImplicatures

1.1. These These maximsmaxims (or, more precisely, their violation) (or, more precisely, their violation) form the basis for form the basis for inferencesinferences that we draw in that we draw in conversation, which Grice called conversation, which Grice called implicaturesimplicatures..

2.2. different ways of violating these maxims give rise different ways of violating these maxims give rise to to different types of implicaturesdifferent types of implicatures..

How to How to ViolateViolate Conversational Maxims Conversational Maxims

Quietly and unostentatiouslyQuietly and unostentatiously

A: Does A: Does your dogyour dog bite? bite?B: No.B: No.A: [Bends down to stroke it and gets bitten] You A: [Bends down to stroke it and gets bitten] You said your dog doesn’t bite!said your dog doesn’t bite!B: That isn’t my dog!B: That isn’t my dog!

Husband: How much did that new dress cost, Husband: How much did that new dress cost, darling?darling?Wife: Less than the last one.Wife: Less than the last one.

A: What would the other people say?A: What would the other people say?B: Ah well I don’t know. I don’t like to repeat it B: Ah well I don’t know. I don’t like to repeat it because I don’t really believe half of what they’re because I don’t really believe half of what they’re saying. They just get a fixed thing into their mind.saying. They just get a fixed thing into their mind.

qualityquality

quantityquantity

mannermanner

What’s violated?

• Think of one example in which Relation is violated (= Think of one example in which Relation is violated (= Be relevant) Be relevant) ‘‘quietly and unostentatiously’’:‘‘quietly and unostentatiously’’:

A: ……………………………………A: ……………………………………B: ……………………………………B: ……………………………………


Opting outOpting out

What’s violated?

How’s your research How’s your research project going?project going?

That’s confidential!That’s confidential!

quantityquantity

Don’t worry ... I don’t think Don’t worry ... I don’t think he will die today.he will die today.

Do you think he’ll survive Do you think he’ll survive doc?doc?

Coping with a clash between two maximsCoping with a clash between two maxims

Quality/quantityQuality/quantity

implicatureimplicature

I really don’t know!

Tehran’s in Turkey, isn’t Tehran’s in Turkey, isn’t it?it?

Uh-huh, and Boston's in Iraq.Uh-huh, and Boston's in Iraq.


FloutingFlouting

What’s violated?

qualityquality

implicatureimplicature

What you said is obviously unreasonable.

IronyIronyIf you only know how I If you only know how I love being woken at four love being woken at four am by a fire alarm. am by a fire alarm.

HyperboleHyperbole1.1.My house is a refrigerator in January.My house is a refrigerator in January.2.2.Love is a disease, but curable.Love is a disease, but curable.3.3.Religion is the Opium of the people.Religion is the Opium of the people.

Conventional EuphemismConventional EuphemismI ‘m going to wash my handsI ‘m going to wash my handsShe’s got a bun on the ovenShe’s got a bun on the oven

SarcasmSarcasmWhy don’t you try to leave all your dirty clothes in the lounge floor, Why don’t you try to leave all your dirty clothes in the lounge floor, love, and then you only need wash them when someone breaks a leg love, and then you only need wash them when someone breaks a leg trying to get to the sofa.trying to get to the sofa.

BanterBanterYou’r nasty, mean and stingy! You’r nasty, mean and stingy! How can you give only one How can you give only one kiss?kiss?

Flouting quality

Flouting quality

A: so what do you think of Mark?A: so what do you think of Mark?B: his flatmate’s a wonderful cook.B: his flatmate’s a wonderful cook.

A: Where are you off to?A: Where are you off to?B: I was thinking of going out to get some of that funy while B: I was thinking of going out to get some of that funy while stuff for somebody.stuff for somebody.A: Okay, but don’t be long. Dinner’s nearly ready.A: Okay, but don’t be long. Dinner’s nearly ready.

RelationRelation

A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead singer?singer?B: The singer produced a series of sounds corresponding closely B: The singer produced a series of sounds corresponding closely to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto."to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto."

Manner: obscurityManner: obscurity

A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the A: I hear you went to the opera last night; how was the lead singer?lead singer?B: The singer produced a series of sounds corresponding B: The singer produced a series of sounds corresponding closely to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto."closely to the score of an aria from "Rigoletto."



A: What can you tell me about Catherine’s ability to concentrate on a task?B: Catherine is a butterfly flitting from flower to flower.

WHAT IS FLOUTED HERE?




FloutingFlouting

A: I’m beginning to realize why jobs in language schools run out too sharply in the autumn and in the spring. It’s all these damn MSc students and their wives // he heB: // he heA: Now I know why I was never wanted after OctoberB: Yeah, that’s right (he)

1- “Quietly and unostentatiously”1- “Quietly and unostentatiously”

2- Overtly opting out of a maxim2- Overtly opting out of a maxim

3- Coping with a clash between maxims3- Coping with a clash between maxims

4- Flouting a maxim in order to exploit it4- Flouting a maxim in order to exploit it

Four ways of ”violating” the Cooperative PrincipleFour ways of ”violating” the Cooperative Principle

no implicatureswith implicatures

the logic of conversation

Education

nonliteral meaning

logic of conversation

answer answer

rationality of conversation

does tom

conversational logic

formal logic

hearer buddy