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Questions and Answers
What illustrates the most common state of understanding speaker meaning?
What illustrates the most common state of understanding speaker meaning?
In what situation does a speaker's intention cause confusion without misunderstanding the literal meaning?
In what situation does a speaker's intention cause confusion without misunderstanding the literal meaning?
What is the typical example of understanding force without knowing utterance meaning?
What is the typical example of understanding force without knowing utterance meaning?
Which situation describes a lack of understanding in both utterance meaning and force?
Which situation describes a lack of understanding in both utterance meaning and force?
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What does the first idiom mentioned in the content mean?
What does the first idiom mentioned in the content mean?
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What misunderstanding did Barry Manilow experience during his encounter with Bob Dylan?
What misunderstanding did Barry Manilow experience during his encounter with Bob Dylan?
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Which of the following statements accurately reflects the complexity of communication described?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the complexity of communication described?
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In what context is the phrase 'Keep your hair on!' used?
In what context is the phrase 'Keep your hair on!' used?
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What is meant by the 'utterance meaning'?
What is meant by the 'utterance meaning'?
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What is an example provided that demonstrates an ambiguous utterance?
What is an example provided that demonstrates an ambiguous utterance?
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What was the Americans' interpretation of the term 'popular' in the context given?
What was the Americans' interpretation of the term 'popular' in the context given?
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Which of the following options does NOT illustrate the two components of speaker meaning?
Which of the following options does NOT illustrate the two components of speaker meaning?
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According to the content, what are paralinguistic features?
According to the content, what are paralinguistic features?
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What happens if a hearer fails to understand the utterance meaning?
What happens if a hearer fails to understand the utterance meaning?
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Which aspect reflects a misunderstanding and confusion between utterance meaning and force?
Which aspect reflects a misunderstanding and confusion between utterance meaning and force?
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What does the content suggest about speaker meaning?
What does the content suggest about speaker meaning?
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Study Notes
Lecture 3: Components of Speaker Meaning
- Speaker meaning has two components: utterance meaning and force.
- A chart displays the presence or absence of each component for different cases.
Two Components of Speaker Meaning
- Speaker meaning: The intended meaning of a speaker.
- Utterance meaning: The literal meaning of the words used.
- Force: The communicative function or intention behind the utterance.
Understanding Both Utterance Meaning and Force
- This is the most common situation in communication.
- Example 1: "What's wrong with the cat?"
- Despite the ambiguity, hearers understood the speaker's intended meaning.
- The speaker intended to promote corporal punishment.
Understanding Utterance Meaning but Not Force
- This is the second most prevalent situation.
- Example: An article about how Barry Manilow felt insecure.
- The writer understood Manilow's meaning.
- But not the author's intent, or force behind the utterance. (page 4)
Example: Bob Dylan and Compliments
- Bob Dylan complimented a person.
- The person didn't know how to interpret it.
- The compliment lingered in their mind for years.
Example: Utterance ambiguity
- A comment on the oddity of a compliment from Bob Dylan.
- Dylan's words may have contained sarcasm, sincerity, praise or flattery.
Example: Understanding force but not utterance meaning
- A situation where the communicative function (force) is understood, but not the literal meaning of the words.
- Example case provided in note.
Example Cases
- Example 23: "It's my shout" (Australia) - A statement offering to pay.
- Example 24: "Don't have a cow!" (United States) - An expression advising someone to calm down.
- Example 25: "Her work has become very popular." (Conference in Greece)
- British speaker intended a critical statement.
- American listeners interpreted the words as non-critical praise.
Interrelationship of Utterance Meaning and Force
- Speaker meaning has two components: utterance meaning and force.
- Force is often derived from the utterance meaning but not always.
- Other factors include paralinguistics methods such as intonation; or non-linguistic methods like gestures.
- Context plays a role in understanding force.
Speaker Ambiguities
- Speaker ambiguities in sense, reference, or structure rarely, if ever happen.
- Ambiguity often exists for the listener, not for the speaker.
Pragmatics: Meaning in Interaction
- Pragmatics is about communication in interaction.
- Meaning isn't inherent in words alone; it involves speaker and hearer dynamic negotiation.
- Meaning depends on factors like physical/social/linguistic context.
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Description
This quiz explores the two components of speaker meaning: utterance meaning and force. It provides examples to illustrate how communication can vary based on the understanding of these components. Test your knowledge on how meaning is conveyed and interpreted in conversation.
