The Gricean maxims
As already mentioned above, Grice proposed four maxims concerning conversation. As Yule says, "it is important to recognize these maxims as unstated assumptions we have in conversations."
The maxim of Quantity
· Information
· Make your contribution as informative as is required
· Do not make your contribution more informative than is required.
The maxim of Quality
· Truth
· Do not say what you believe to be false.
· Do not say that for which you lack adequate evidence.
The maxim of Relation
· Relevance
· Be relevant.
The maxim of Manner
· Clarity
· Avoid obscurity of expression.
· Avoid ambiguity.
· Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity).
· Be orderly.
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