Gricean norms for communication

Paul grice (1913 1988)

British educated philosopher of Language Grice decided that communication is a co-operative activity:

when two people communicate, its in their own best interests to make it go as smoothly as possible.
Speakers behave in certain predictable ways.

 Grice (1975) conversational maxims *

Grices co-operative principle
Make your contribution such as it is required, at the stage at

which it occurs, by the accepted purpose or direction of the talk exchange in which you are engaged (Paul Grice)

This translates into 4 maxims: Relevance Quality (Trustfulness) Quantity

Manner (clarity)

Relevance

where one tries to be relevant, and says things that are

pertinent to the discussion.

Communication messages must be related to the topic

A: What on earth has happened to the roast beef? B: The dog is looking very happy.

Truthfulness / ( quality)

where one tries to be truthful, and does not give information

that is false or that is not supported by evidence.

it does not mean you can not lie.

Cooperative conversationalists usually say what they believe to be true When violate truthfulness, we use special intonation for sarcasm, for

teasing, or for playfulness e.g. (Hatch , 2001, p.34 )

So... When someone speaks to us, we assume: that what they say is truthful.
that the truthfulness of what they say does not need to be made

stated.

Quantity In conversation, everyone should have his or her fair share of

talk time. In writing, write very long-winded, or too brief?

where one tries to be as informative as one possibly can, and

gives as much information as is needed, and no more.

So... When someone speaks to us, we assume:
they do not purposefully hold back anything that is important they do not give more information than is asked.

Clarity ( manner )

when one tries to be as clear, as brief, and as orderly as one

can in what one says, and where one avoids obscurity and ambiguity.
Avoid obscurity and ambiguity

Message should be constructed in an orderly way

So, when someone speaks to us, we assume: That what they say is being said as straightforwardly as they can say it.

 In short... Be true Be brief Be clear Be relevant

These maxims ensure that conversation is maximally

efficient, rational and co-operative. It also ensures that we understand conversation.

Five factors which focus analysis and discussion

 The End