What is a generalized implicature?

Definition
	A generalized implicature is a conversational implicature that is inferable without reference to a special context.

Example (English)

Expressions with the form an X usually imply that X is not closely related to the speaker or subject, as in the following expression:

John walked into a house yesterday and saw a tortoise.

This expression implies that the house is not John’s house.

Adapted from:

Grice 1975 56

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

Concept module: generalized implicature
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): G
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