Glossary

8.4 Presupposition projection and accommodation

3 min read•july 19, 2024

Presupposition projection and accommodation are key concepts in understanding how meaning is conveyed in language. They explain how certain information survives in complex sentences and how listeners adapt to new information presented as known.

These concepts are crucial for effective communication. They show how speakers can efficiently share information by building on assumed knowledge, and how listeners interpret and adjust to new information introduced as if it were already established.

Presupposition Projection and Accommodation

Presupposition projection in sentences

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  • Phenomenon where presuppositions of a sentence's components are inherited by the complex sentence as a whole
    • Allows presuppositions to "survive" embedding under various operators (negation, conditionals, modals)
  • Maintains truth of presuppositions even when overall sentence meaning is altered by operators
  • Ensures presupposed information remains part of the sentence's meaning regardless of main assertion's truth value
  • Examples:
    • "John didn't stop smoking" presupposes John used to smoke, even though main assertion is negated
    • "If Mary's cat is hungry, she will feed it" presupposes Mary has a cat, regardless of the conditional's truth

Concept of presupposition accommodation

  • Process where listeners adjust understanding of context to accept speaker's presuppositions as true, even if not previously aware of information
    • Occurs when speaker introduces new information as if already known or accepted by listener
  • Allows introduction of new information without explicitly stating it
  • Facilitates conversation flow by reducing need for extensive background information
  • Enables speakers to make assumptions about shared knowledge and build upon it
  • Examples:
    • "I'm sorry I'm late. I had to take my dog to the vet" presupposes speaker has a dog, even if listener was unaware
    • "Have you read the email I sent you?" presupposes speaker sent an email to the listener

Presuppositions in linguistic environments

  • Negation
    • Presuppositions typically survive negation, remaining true even when main assertion is negated
    • "John hasn't stopped smoking" presupposes John used to smoke
  • Conditionals
    • Presuppositions of consequent clause project out of conditional, while presuppositions of antecedent clause do not necessarily project
    • "If John has a sister, then his sister is a doctor" presupposes John has a sister
  • Questions
    • Presuppositions of a question typically project, assumed to be true regardless of answer
    • "When did you quit your job?" presupposes the person had a job and quit
  • Modals
    • Presuppositions usually project through modal operators (may, might, must)
    • "Mary must have stopped playing piano" presupposes Mary used to play piano

Application of presupposition principles

  • Real-world examples:
    1. "I can't believe I forgot my wallet at the restaurant"
      • Presupposes speaker was at a restaurant and had their wallet there
      • Listener accommodates presupposition to make sense of statement
    2. "Did you enjoy the concert last night?"
      • Presupposes there was a concert last night and the listener attended
      • If presuppositions are not true, listener may need to challenge or correct before answering
  • Importance in communication:
    • Allows for efficient information sharing by leveraging shared knowledge
    • Helps maintain coherence and relevance in discourse
    • Can be used strategically to introduce new information or guide conversation
  • Potential challenges:
    • Mismatched presuppositions between speaker and listener can lead to misunderstandings
    • Accommodation may not always occur, requiring explicit clarification or correction
    • Presuppositions can be used manipulatively to imply information that is not true or agreed upon

Key Terms to Review (12)

Contextual presupposition: Contextual presupposition refers to the assumptions or background knowledge that speakers and listeners rely on during communication, which is derived from the specific context of a conversation. These presuppositions can influence how meaning is interpreted, as they often hinge on shared experiences or previously established information between the interlocutors. Understanding contextual presupposition is crucial for grasping how language functions in real-life situations, particularly when it comes to presupposition projection and accommodation.
Contextual Variability: Contextual variability refers to the phenomenon where the meaning or interpretation of an utterance can change depending on the context in which it is used. This aspect is crucial for understanding how presuppositions are projected or accommodated, as the surrounding circumstances and shared knowledge between speakers can influence what is assumed to be true in a conversation.
Definite Descriptions: Definite descriptions are noun phrases that specify a particular entity and typically start with the word 'the,' indicating that the speaker assumes the listener knows exactly which entity is being referred to. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how language conveys information about specific objects or individuals, and it interacts with issues of reference, presupposition, and the resolution of ambiguity in discourse.
Existential presupposition: Existential presupposition refers to the assumption that a particular entity or set of entities exists based on the use of certain linguistic expressions. This type of presupposition is triggered by specific words or phrases in a sentence, leading listeners to assume the existence of the entities in question, even if they are not explicitly mentioned. Understanding this concept is crucial for exploring how information is conveyed and interpreted in communication, particularly in relation to projection and accommodation of presuppositions in discourse.
Implicature: Implicature refers to the meaning that is suggested or implied in communication, rather than explicitly stated. It plays a crucial role in understanding how language functions in context, revealing how speakers convey additional information beyond the literal interpretation of their words.
Inference: Inference is the process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true. It plays a crucial role in how we understand implied meanings and the unstated assumptions that come with communication. Inferences help us fill in gaps and interpret the intent behind statements, which is essential in understanding presuppositions and how they function in conversations.
Iterative Verbs: Iterative verbs are action verbs that imply a repeated or habitual action over time, indicating that the action occurs more than once. This concept is crucial in understanding how meaning shifts in various contexts, particularly when considering the implications of presuppositions and the adjustments made when context changes, such as accommodation.
Karttunen's Theory: Karttunen's Theory refers to a framework for understanding presuppositions in natural language, focusing on how they project in various contexts and how listeners accommodate them. It emphasizes that when a speaker makes an assertion that carries presuppositions, these assumptions must be recognized and integrated by the listener for effective communication. The theory provides insights into the nuances of meaning that arise when statements are made in conversation, especially regarding how context influences interpretation.
Lexical vs. Structural Triggers: Lexical triggers are specific words or phrases that signal a presupposition, while structural triggers refer to the grammatical structures that imply certain presuppositions. Understanding these triggers is crucial for analyzing how information is conveyed and interpreted in communication, especially when considering how certain statements rely on background assumptions.
Semantic vs. Pragmatic Presupposition: Semantic presupposition refers to the assumptions that are embedded in the meaning of a statement, which must be accepted for that statement to be meaningful. Pragmatic presupposition, on the other hand, deals with context and background knowledge that influences how a statement is interpreted. Understanding these two types of presuppositions is crucial for grasping how meaning is conveyed and understood in communication.
Situational Context: Situational context refers to the circumstances or background information surrounding a conversation or communicative act that influences how language is interpreted. It encompasses factors such as the physical setting, the identities and relationships of the speakers, their intentions, and the specific time and place of the interaction. Understanding situational context is essential for grasping nuances in communication, especially when analyzing how meaning shifts based on different contexts.
Stalnaker's Theory: Stalnaker's Theory, developed by Robert Stalnaker, provides a framework for understanding presupposition and how it interacts with conversational context. It emphasizes the idea that presuppositions are conditions that must hold true for an utterance to be appropriately interpreted, thus influencing how information is processed during communication. The theory also discusses how presuppositions can be accommodated or projected based on the context of discourse.
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