What is conventional implicature?

Definition
	Conventional implicature is an implicature that is
	part of a lexical item’s or expression’s agreed meaning, rather than derived from principles of language use, and not part of the conditions for the truth of the item or expression.

Example (English)
	A speaker using the word but between coordinate clauses thinks that some contrast or concession relation is relevant between the clauses.

Generic
	Conventional implicature is a kind of
	What is an actual implicature?

Source
	Levinson 1983 127–128

Context for this page:

Concept module: conventional implicature
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): C
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

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