Presupposition

Definition

Presupposition refers to the implicit assumptions or beliefs that are taken for granted in communication. These are the background assumptions that speakers and listeners rely on to interpret meaning, often without explicitly stating them. Understanding presuppositions is crucial in analyzing how meaning is conveyed beyond the literal words used, especially in contexts where implicature plays a role.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Presuppositions can be either existential, which imply that something exists, or factive, which assume a truth value for certain statements.
2. Certain triggers, like definite descriptions (e.g., 'the king of France'), can create presuppositions that need to be accepted for a conversation to make sense.
3. In conversation, when a presupposition is violated, it can lead to confusion or misunderstanding among speakers.
4. Presuppositions play a significant role in politeness strategies; they can help speakers imply meanings without directly stating them.
5. Grice's Maxims suggest that effective communication relies on shared presuppositions between speakers and listeners to convey and interpret implicatures.

Review Questions

• How do presuppositions influence the way we understand implicature in conversation?
  • Presuppositions shape the context in which implicatures are interpreted by providing shared assumptions between speakers and listeners. When people engage in conversation, they rely on these unspoken beliefs to fill in gaps and infer meanings that go beyond the literal words. If one party assumes a different presupposition than the other, it can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of intended meaning.
• Discuss how violations of presuppositions can impact communication and the intended message.
  • When a presupposition is violated, it disrupts the foundation upon which the conversation rests. For instance, if someone makes an assertion based on a false presupposition, it can confuse the listener and lead to a breakdown in communication. This impact illustrates how essential shared beliefs are for effective dialogue and highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing potential presupposition conflicts during interactions.
• Evaluate the role of context in determining the validity of presuppositions within conversational exchanges.
  • Context plays a critical role in validating presuppositions by providing the necessary background information that informs what is taken for granted in a conversation. Different contexts can lead to different interpretations of what is presumed true or accepted. Analyzing context allows for a deeper understanding of how meaning is constructed and negotiated between speakers, ultimately influencing both clarity and effectiveness in communication.

Related terms

Implicature: Implicature is the meaning that is suggested or implied in a conversation, rather than directly expressed through words.

Assertion: An assertion is a statement that is made with the intention of conveying information, typically accepted as true unless proven otherwise.

Context: Context refers to the surrounding circumstances and background information that shape the interpretation of a communication act.