In this week’s class I learn a new term called “Implicature”. It is the term used to refer to utterances that have underlying or intended meaning. For example, if your roommate keeps on asking you why you did not go back for the weekend then he might have the thought of wanting you to leave! According to Wikipedia, Implicature is a technical term in the linguistic branch of pragmatics coined by Paul Grice. It describes the relationship between two statements where the truth of one suggests the truth of the other, but—distinguishing implicature from entailment—does not require it.
Through the examples given in the class, we can see that the mother is trying to ask the son not to leave her but she did not say it directly. Instead she gives all shorts of excuses to the son, hoping that he will not leave her. In my opinion, the used of implicature in drama may make the performance more interesting because it attracts the audience attention as for it will be rather boring if the actors just say out what they intend to.
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3 comments:
well after reading lee's view on implicature, i would like to add that i really this device as we can we see that in real life "implicature" is commonly used. for example when your friend invites you to a party that you don't want to attend and you keep saying that you wish you could attend it but.. so anyway that's what i think, it is easier to study literature if you try connecting it to real life.
I agree that there are a lots of implicature used in a play. For me, the usage of this device will make the play more humor and interesting. For example, a n actor saying "Please do not go" while he opening the door. The audience will think whether the actor wanted his friend to stay or not. And this action will add some humor effect also!
And it is a nice word, too, "implicature". Oddly, Sidonius had used it in the Latin language, too! "implicatura", and as such is the entry in Lewis/Short, Latin Dictionary, online. Anyway, you're welcome to drop by at griceclub.blogspot. Cheers. J. L. Speranza
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