Lexical vs. Structural Triggers

Definition

Lexical triggers are specific words or phrases that signal a presupposition, while structural triggers refer to the grammatical structures that imply certain presuppositions. Understanding these triggers is crucial for analyzing how information is conveyed and interpreted in communication, especially when considering how certain statements rely on background assumptions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lexical triggers often include verbs like 'stop' or 'regret,' which imply prior states or actions, indicating what must be accepted for the statement to be meaningful.
2. Structural triggers can include constructions such as conditionals or definite descriptions, which lead listeners to assume the existence of certain entities or facts in the discourse.
3. The distinction between lexical and structural triggers helps in understanding how presuppositions can be projected through various sentence forms without losing their meaning.
4. Accommodation allows speakers and listeners to negotiate understanding when a presupposition conflicts with the listener's prior beliefs.
5. Presupposition projection is essential for effective communication, as it influences how context is interpreted and understood in conversation.

Review Questions

• How do lexical and structural triggers differ in signaling presuppositions within discourse?
  • Lexical triggers are specific words or phrases that inherently carry presuppositions, while structural triggers are related to the grammatical forms of sentences that imply presuppositions. For instance, a verb like 'stop' would necessitate that something was happening before, indicating its lexical nature. In contrast, using a definite noun phrase implies the existence of the noun it refers to, showcasing its structural nature. Recognizing these differences aids in analyzing how various elements in language can shape meaning.
• Discuss the role of accommodation in managing conflicting presuppositions during communication.
  • Accommodation plays a vital role when a listener encounters a presupposition that contradicts their existing beliefs. It involves adjusting one's understanding or beliefs to align with what the speaker is asserting. This adjustment is crucial in maintaining effective communication, as it allows for the integration of new information while preserving coherence in dialogue. For instance, if someone says, 'The king of France is bald,' and one does not believe there is currently a king of France, they may need to accommodate this information to engage meaningfully in the conversation.
• Evaluate the significance of distinguishing between lexical and structural triggers in understanding presupposition projection and its implications for discourse analysis.
  • Distinguishing between lexical and structural triggers is significant because it enhances our understanding of how information is conveyed and interpreted in communication. Lexical triggers provide insights into specific words that initiate presuppositional meanings, while structural triggers illustrate how sentence constructions influence those meanings. This distinction is crucial for discourse analysis since it informs researchers and linguists about the nuances of meaning-making in conversation and text, allowing for more precise interpretations of speaker intent and listener comprehension.

Related terms

Presupposition: An implicit assumption about the world or background belief relating to an utterance that must be accepted for the utterance to make sense.

Accommodation: The process by which a listener adjusts their beliefs to accommodate the presuppositions of a speaker's utterance.

Projection: The phenomenon where presuppositions remain in force even when embedded within more complex sentence structures.