Pragmatics III Notes

Questions

1. What important fact about conversation is often reflected in English Conversation textbooks?

2. According to Grice, what do participants in a conversation cooperate in doing?

3. What is the Maxim of Quantity?

4. What is the Maxim of Quality?

5. What is the Maxim of Relation?

6. What is the Maxim of Manner?

7. If I say “I literally wanted to die,” which maxim do I violate?

8. If you ask me the time and I say “It is three o’clock and I am the best soccer player in the universe,” which maxim(s) do I violate?

9. If you ask me if I want to go to the cinema and I say “I regret to inform you that I am not inclined to acquiesce to your request,” which maxim(s) do I violate?

10. According to Grice, when maxims are violated, what does it lead us to think about?

11. If I say “It’s hot in here,” what might I be implying?

12. If you tell me you are hungry and I say “Let me get my cell phone out,” what might I be implying?

13. If you ask me if I want to go jogging with you and I say “Today is my rest day,” what might I be implying?

14. If I ask you how long you will be and you say “Mix yourself a drink,” what might you be implying?

15. If I ask you if you want to go to the cinema and you say “I’m washing my hair,” what might you be implying?

16. If I ask you if Bill will be at the meeting today and you say “Bill’s car broke down,” what might you be implying?

17. If I tell you that Jim and Mary are leaving tomorrow and you say “I’ll really miss Mary,” what might you be implying?

18. If you ask me if I want a soft ice cream and I say “My train is leaving in three minutes,” what might I be implying?