Editing Semantics and the Cooperative Principle (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Gricean semantics is understood through '''Inference''' and '''Expectation'''.

'''1. The "Collaboration" of Minds (Cooperation)''':
"Conversation" is a "Game" of "Trust."
* (See Article 635). When we "Talk," we **"Assume"** the "Other Person" is "Trying" to "Be Helpful."
* This **"Cooperative Principle"** "Allows" us to "Skip" "Literal Details."
* If I ask: **"Where is the milk?"** and you say **"I saw a cat in the kitchen,"** I "Assume" your answer is **"Relevant"** (e.g. 'The cat drank it' or 'It's in the kitchen where the cat is').
* "Communication" is **"Mind-Reading."**

'''2. The "Hidden" Information (Implicature)''':
"Reading Between the Lines."
* Most of "Human Speech" is **"Non-Literal."**
* (e.g. "I'm tired" "Means" "I want to go home").
* We "Use" **"Gricean Maxims"** as "Guidelines."
* If someone **"Flouts"** a maxim (e.g. 'Giving too much information'), we "Instinctively" "Look" for a **"Reason"** (e.g. 'They are lying' or 'They are nervous').
* "Meaning" is **"Inference."**

'''3. The "Art" of the Indirect (Irony and Metaphor)''':
"Breaking the Rules" to "Make a Point."
* (See Article 669). If you say **"Great weather!"** during a "Hurricane," you are **"Flouting the Maxim of Quality."**
* Because I "Assume" you are "Still being Cooperative," I "Conclude" you are being **"Ironic."**
* This "Allows" "Language" to be **"Rich," "Subtle,"** and **"Emotional."**
* "Communication" is **"Strategic Disruption."**

'''The 'Recommendation Letter' Example'''': A "Classic" Gricean case. If a "Professor" writes: **"Mr. X has excellent handwriting and was always on time,"** for a "Philosophy Job," they are **"Flouting the Maxim of Quantity."** By "Not Saying" anything about "Philosophy," they "Imply" that "Mr. X is a bad philosopher." It proved that **"Silence"** can be **"Loud."**
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