WORKSHEET 1 FEEDBACK -- Discourse Introduction

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Date Posted: Sep 02 2009, 7:15
Author: KÁTIA
Subject: WORKSHEET 1 FEEDBACK
In reply to: Ana Carolina M., Paola, Sirlene, Vivian 's message, "Re: WORKSHEET 1" on Aug 23 2009, 12:59

WORKSHEET 1

a) What is the illocutionary force of his utterance? Is it achieved directly or indirectly?
The illocutionary force is that of a request. It is achieved indirectly as, if taken at face value, the utterance would count as an offer.
b) If taken at face value, who does his utterance appear to benefit?
It appears to benefit the addressee. Being beneficial to the addressee is one of the presuppositions of an offer.
c) Which one of Grice’s maxims is not observed?
The Maxim of Manner, according to which the speaker should avoid ambiguity, is not observed.
Obs.: To interpret the message, the following inferences would have to be made:
1. Addressees would start the interpretation process by accessing the utterance locution or sentence meaning.
2. Then they would relate it to the context in which it was produced.
3. Next they would realize that an offer to be given a ride in the situation pictured in the cartoon lacks in coherence. After all, what great advantage would they get from giving someone a ride?
4. However, assuming the speaker/writer is obeying the conversational maxims, addressees would try to get to what the speaker/writer means.
5. They would realize that, as he is not lying or being irrelevant, that his offer implies something else. The context again will help them come to the conclusion that he is, in fact, asking for a ride.
Of course, all these steps are followed unconsciously and in one or two seconds.

Sorry, I didn't intervene before, but I wanted you to dwell upon the answers. Some of you got the correct answers. Now, concerning the maxims, I agree that there is some overlap among them and the confusion some of you felt is more than natural. Usually, the solution to these kinds of problems lie on the fact that hardly ever do we have a matter of "YES or NO". Instead, we have to consider language issues like this as a matter of "MORE or LESS".

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