Maxim of relevance

Definition

The maxim of relevance is a principle in conversational implicature which suggests that speakers should provide information that is pertinent and appropriate to the ongoing discourse. This concept helps to ensure that communication remains focused and efficient, guiding interlocutors to interpret messages based on their relevance to the context of the conversation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The maxim of relevance encourages speakers to contribute information that is pertinent to the ongoing dialogue, preventing irrelevant or off-topic remarks.
2. When people violate the maxim of relevance, it can lead to confusion or misinterpretation, as listeners may struggle to understand the speaker's intent.
3. The maxim is part of Grice's broader cooperative principle, which includes other maxims like quantity, quality, and manner, all aimed at facilitating effective communication.
4. Relevance theory builds on this maxim by suggesting that human cognition is geared toward processing information that is most relevant, which influences how people interpret messages.
5. In practice, the maxim of relevance plays a significant role in everyday conversations, where speakers often rely on shared knowledge and context to convey meaning efficiently.

Review Questions

• How does the maxim of relevance influence everyday conversations and what are its implications for effective communication?
  • The maxim of relevance significantly shapes everyday conversations by guiding speakers to provide information that is directly related to the topic at hand. This focus on relevant contributions helps maintain coherence and understanding between interlocutors. When speakers adhere to this maxim, it facilitates smoother exchanges, while violations can lead to confusion or misunderstandings about the intended message.
• In what ways do implicature and contextual inference interact with the maxim of relevance during communication?
  • Implicature and contextual inference work together with the maxim of relevance by helping listeners infer meanings based on both the explicit content of a message and its contextual clues. Implicature allows for additional meanings beyond what is said, while contextual inference relies on shared knowledge and situational factors. Together, they enhance comprehension and enable speakers to navigate conversational nuances effectively by focusing on relevant information.
• Evaluate the significance of the maxim of relevance within the framework of Neo-Gricean theories and how it adapts traditional notions of implicature.
  • The maxim of relevance is pivotal in Neo-Gricean theories as it adapts traditional views on implicature by emphasizing cognitive aspects of communication. These theories propose that relevance not only influences how information is interpreted but also reflects cognitive efficiency in processing conversational input. By focusing on relevance, these theories extend beyond Grice's original framework, suggesting that human cognition prioritizes information that offers maximal payoff in understanding and engagement during conversations.

Related terms

implicature: Implicature refers to the meaning that is suggested or implied in conversation, which goes beyond the literal meaning of the words used.

cooperative principle: The cooperative principle is a fundamental idea proposed by Paul Grice stating that participants in a conversation typically work together to ensure effective communication.

contextual inference:

Contextual inference is the process through which listeners deduce meaning based on the surrounding context of a conversation, including prior knowledge and situational cues.