What is a relevance implicature?

Definition
	A relevance implicature is a conversational implicature based on an addressee's assumption as to whether a speaker is observing or flouting the conversational maxim of relation or relevance.
	If the speaker is assumed to be observing the maxim, then the addressee makes a standard implicature. If the speaker is assumed to be flouting the maxim, then the addressee makes a more nonstandard type of implicature.

Examples (English)

In the following exchange, the implicature that A draws as to the time of day from B’s presumably relevant response is a relevance implicature:

A: Can you tell me the time?

B: Well, the milkman has come.

Source:

Levinson 1983 107

In the following exchange, the implicature A draws (that A’s remark was not welcome to B) from B’s response is a relevance implicature:

A: Mrs. X is an old bag.

B: The weather has been quite delightful this summer, hasn't it?

Source:

Grice 1975 54

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

Concept module: relevance implicature
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): R
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