Gricean Cooperative
Principle
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Paul Grice (1975):
The cooperative principle
There are 4 Maxims:
a. Quality
b.Quantity
c.Relation
d.Manner
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The co-operative principle
Maxim of Quality
This concerned with telling truth, and has two
parts:
Do not say what you believe to be false;
Do not say that for which you lack adequate
evidence.
Sub second maxim can be paraphrased as
Do not make unsupported statements.
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Example of maxim Quality (benar-tidaknya
informasi):
Background:
A friend's father considers whether or not to buy
your friend's old car, and you are aware that your
friend's old car has broken down before.
A: Should I buy your friend's used car?
B -Improper:
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, his car runs
fine.
B -Proper:
I don't know if that's such a good idea, his car
breaks down all the time.
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[2] Wife to husband: ‘One of the trout
you were fishing for last weekend
phoned and left her number.
[3] A one-eyed man is watching a movie
at the cinema. At once, the man sitting
next to him tells him:
“I’m away for a moment. Would you
please keep an eye on my seat?”
The one-eyed wonders:
“And how can I watch the movie then?”
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Maxim of Quantity (banyak-sedikitnya
jumlah informasi/maxim)
This concerned with amount of information an
utterances conveys. , and has two parts:
•Make your contribution as informative as is
required for the current purposes of the
exchange in which you are engaged.
•Do not make your contribution more
informative than is required.
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Example of maxim Quantity:
Background:
A man stops his vehicle in the middle of the road to briefly
ask you for directions.
A:
Where is the post office?
B Improper:
There are two in town, but the closest one is brand new.
Down the road, about 50 meters past the second left. Also,
you shouldn't stop your car in the middle of the road
anymore.
B Improper:
Not far.
B Proper:
Continue on, and make the second left up there. You'll see
it.
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[2] Wife to husband: ‘One of the trout you
were fishing for last weekend phoned and
left her number.
[3] A one-eyed man is watching a movie at
the cinema. At once, the man sitting next to
him tells him:
“I’m away for a moment. Would you please
keep an eye on my seat?”
The one-eyed wonders:
“And how can I watch the movie then?”
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RELATION: be relevant
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Example of maxim of relation :
A: (Noticeably indicating boredom)
Ugh, I wonder what time it is...
B Improper:
It's 6:30.
B imProper:
It's 6:30. So, you have the whole night ahead of
you! Have you eaten at Harry's before?
B Proper:
It's 6:30, I have a meeting to go to at 7:00, but
maybe you'd like to do something afterwards?
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A conversation between a
shopkeeper and a 16-year old
customer wanted to buy beer:
Customer: Just these, please.
Shopkeeper: Are you eighteen?
Customer: Oh, I'm from
Middlesbrough.
Shopkeeper: (after a brief pause) OK
(serves beer to him).
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MANNER: be clear, brief and orderly
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•B: Okay, but I veto I-C-E C-R-E-A-M-S.
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.
Note: the word “Veto” means:
1. to reject (a proposed bill or enactment) by exercising a veto.
2. to prohibit emphatically.
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Example of maxim of manner:
Rancho: “ Instruments that record analyze summarize
organize debate and explain information which are illustrative
non-illustrative hardbound paperback jacketed non-jacketed
with forward introduction, table of contents, index that are
indented for the enlightenment, understanding enrichment
enhancement and education of the human brain through
sensory root of vision... sometimes leisure
Machine Class Professor: [confused] Whatare you trying to
say?
Rancho: Books sir! I forgot to take my books.
LOL!!! The movie is just so awesome! :D
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