Presupposition effects
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Misha-Laura Müller
Abstract
This paper focuses on presupposition effects, in the light of Sperber and Wilson (2015). First, we define semantic presuppositions as determinate contents, which can in turn be instances of meaning or/and showing. A discussion is then engaged regarding the determinacy of semantic and discursive presuppositions, leading to the identification of a specific property of presuppositions, namely their contribution to the acceptance of an utterance (as per Sperber et al. 2010). The last section seeks to account for the ambivalent status of presuppositions, as they are both ostensive (i.e. triggered by an ostensive verbal stimulus) and relatively less ostensive. We conclude that a proper identification of presuppositions requires to go ‘within’ the speaker’s meaning, by adding an ‘ostensive’ and ‘less ostensive’ continuum to the showing – meaning diagram.
Abstract
This paper focuses on presupposition effects, in the light of Sperber and Wilson (2015). First, we define semantic presuppositions as determinate contents, which can in turn be instances of meaning or/and showing. A discussion is then engaged regarding the determinacy of semantic and discursive presuppositions, leading to the identification of a specific property of presuppositions, namely their contribution to the acceptance of an utterance (as per Sperber et al. 2010). The last section seeks to account for the ambivalent status of presuppositions, as they are both ostensive (i.e. triggered by an ostensive verbal stimulus) and relatively less ostensive. We conclude that a proper identification of presuppositions requires to go ‘within’ the speaker’s meaning, by adding an ‘ostensive’ and ‘less ostensive’ continuum to the showing – meaning diagram.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Section 1. Beyond meaning
- Beyond meaning NN and ostension 11
- Contrastive stress in English 29
- Presupposition effects 43
- Metaphor comprehension 61
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Section 2. Beyond meaning
- Conceptual mappings and contextual assumptions 79
- An experiential view on what makes literature relevant 99
- Humorous means, serious messages 119
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Section 3. Furthur beyond
- Experiences of ineffable significance 135
- Hushed tones 151
- Onomatopoeia, impressions and text on screen 161
- Before meaning 177
- Index 199
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Section 1. Beyond meaning
- Beyond meaning NN and ostension 11
- Contrastive stress in English 29
- Presupposition effects 43
- Metaphor comprehension 61
-
Section 2. Beyond meaning
- Conceptual mappings and contextual assumptions 79
- An experiential view on what makes literature relevant 99
- Humorous means, serious messages 119
-
Section 3. Furthur beyond
- Experiences of ineffable significance 135
- Hushed tones 151
- Onomatopoeia, impressions and text on screen 161
- Before meaning 177
- Index 199
