flouting the maxims and this too gives rise to an implicature. That is, the addressee understands the
speaker flouted the maxims for a reason and infers further meaning from this breach of convention.
Here are some examples.
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Flouting Quality
a. A: What if the USSR blockades the Gulf and all the oil?
B: Oh come now, Britain rules the seas! [sarcasm]
+> There is nothing Britain can do about it
b. A: Tehran’s in Turkey, isn’t it, teacher?
B: And London’s in Armenia, I suppose
+> Tehran is not in Turkey
(23)
Flouting Quantity
a.
War is War
+> Terrible things happen in war. That’s it’s nature and there’s no use lamenting that tragedy.
b. Either John will come or he won’t
+> I don’t care whether or not John comes
(24)
Flouting Relation
a. A: (Letter of Recommendation) What qualities does John have for this position?
B: John has nice handwriting.
+> John is not qualified for the job
b. A: Susan can be such a cow sometimes!
B:
Lovely weather, isn’t it?
+> B finds A’s comment inappropriate (for some reason or other)
(25)
Flouting Manner
a. The Corner of John’s lips turned slightly upwards
+> John did not exactly smile
b. Miss Singer produced a series of sounds corresponding closely to an aria from
Rigoletto
+> Miss singer did not perform well.