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Maxim and Hedges in Lion King 2
Maxim and Hedges in Lion King 2
Scar: Oh, yes. Lucky Daddy was there to save you, eh?
{clearly enjoying himself; he puts a paw on Simba’s
shoulder} Oh… and just between us, you might want to
work on that little roar of yours, hmm? (2)
Maxim of Quality
Scar: Simba, Simba; I'm only looking out for the well-
being of my favorite nephew. (2) telling a lie
Banzai: No.... Me? I-I-I didn't know it. No. Did you?
Scar: But, Simba, I am ... ah ... family. It's the hyenas who
are the real enemy. It was their fault-- it was their idea! (9)
Zazu: Hah! You'll lose more than that when the King gets
through with you. He's as mad as a hippo with a
hernia.
Maxim of Relation
Simba: Hey, Uncle Scar? When I'm king, what will that
make you?
Zazu: {Harried} My, my, my. Look at the sun. {starts to try
to hasten the cubs away} It’s time to go! (9)
Shenzi:
Timon: Let me get this straight. You're the king? And you
never told us?
Mufasa: Remember who you are. You are my son, and the
one true king. (23)
Scar: What are you going to do? You wouldn't kill your old
Uncle...? (28)
Maxim of Manner
Simba: Be-what?
Timon: Who?
Nala: Scar.
Hedges
The utterance above showed the use of hedges “would” by Scar. The use of hedges there in
order not to violate maxim quality since Scar did tell either a lie or truth.
The utterance there did not violate maxim of quality since the speaker here Scar used hedges
“well, as far as” in order to fulfill the criteria of the maxim. Scar’s utterance there may not be
totally accurate or inaccurate and this utterance maintained the maxim.
The utterance above showed the use of hedges “think so” since the speaker was aware of the
maxim of quality. By doing this, the speaker’s information was either accurate or inaccurate.
The utterance above firstly violated maxim of quality since Scar told a lie where Mufasa did not
prepare surprise for Simba. However, the last utterance showed the use of hedges “if” since Scar
was aware of maxim of relevance and he used hedges there to stop or change the topic.
The utterance above indicating the use of hedges by Simba, this was done since he was not sure
about his condition. Thus, the use of hedges there was used to avoid breaking maxim of quality
because the information was technically either accurate or inaccurate.
The use of hedges was identified there where Simba used “well, I don’t know” to avoid or drift
to different topic and his contribution did not break the rule of cooperative principle primarily
maxim of relevance.
The speaker used hedges “well, I just…..” since he was aware of maxim of relevance yet the use
of hedges there indicating he wanted to change the discussion.
DID NOT VIOLATE MAXIM
MAXIM OF QUANTITY
Simba: Right. 5
Simba: No. 10
Quality
Sarabi: Mufasa?
Relevance
Simba: Nowhere. 4
Manner