Implicature
Implicature refers to the idea that a speaker can imply something without explicitly stating it. This concept is often discussed in the field of linguistics and is crucial for understanding how people communicate beyond the literal meaning of their words. For example, if someone says, "It's cold in here," they might be implying that they want the window closed, even if they don't say it directly.
There are two main types of implicature: conversational implicature and conventional implicature. Conversational implicature arises from the context of a conversation and relies on shared knowledge between the speaker and listener. In contrast, conventional implicature is tied to specific words or phrases that carry additional meaning, regardless of context. Understanding implicature helps improve communication and interpretation in everyday interactions.