Litotes
Litotes is a language device where you combine a negative word (like “no”, “not”, “don’t”, “isn’t”, etc) with a word or phrase to express the opposite thing for effect. For example, “I’m not happy” means you’re unhappy.
Array Pragmatics
Hedging
In linguistics, hedging is when you use certain words and phrases to make what you’re saying sound less harsh, more cautious or more unsure.
Pragmatics
Pragmatics is one of the six microlinguistic levels you study in English language. It is about how language is used in context.
Verbal Irony
Verbal irony is when someone says something that goes against the reality of their situation. They say it in a way that is noticeable to the people listening to them.
Flouting a Maxim
Flouting a maxim is when you break one of Grice’s Maxims on purpose. You want the other people in the conversation to notice that you’ve done it and interpret a hidden message in your words.
Maxim of Manner
The maxim of manner is an expectation that people will be clear with what they are saying in a conversation. This is one of the four expectations that make up Grice’s Maxims, otherwise known as the Cooperative Principle.
Maxim of Relation
The maxim of relation is an expectation that people will say relevant things in a conversation. It is one of the four expectations that make up Grice’s Maxims, otherwise known as the Cooperative Principle.
Maxim of Quantity
The maxim of quantity is the expectation that people will say just enough and give the right amount of information in a conversation. It is one of the four expectations that make up Grice’s Maxims, otherwise known as the Cooperative Principle.
Maxim of Quality
The maxim of quality is an expectation that people will say truthful things in a conversation. It is one of the four expectations that make up Grice’s Maxims, otherwise known as the Cooperative Principle.
Interlocutor
The term “interlocutor” refers to people who are speaking in a conversation. In other words, the interlocutors are the participants of the conversation.
