What is a flouting implicature?

Definition
	A flouting implicature is a conversational implicature based on an addressee's assumption that the speaker is deliberately breaking (flouting) a conversational maxim while still being cooperative.

Discussion
	The term flouting implicature is a coinage. The concept of an implicature derived from the flouting of a maxim is an important one in the literature of conversational implicature, but there is not a specific name for it. It would commonly be more appropriate to speak of an implicature derived from the speaker’s flouting of a conversational maxim.

Example (English)

In the following exchange, B flouts the maxim of manner, thereby implying that an open discussion of the ice cream is not desired:

A: Let’s get the kids something.

B: Okay, but I veto I-C-E C-R-E-A-M-S.

Source:

Levinson 1983 104

Generic
	A flouting implicature is a kind of
	What is conversational implicature?

Source
	Levinson 1983 104–105

Concept module: flouting implicature
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): F
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004