Conversational Implicature

Conversational implicature refers to the meaning that is implied in a conversation, rather than explicitly stated. It's a concept in pragmatics, which studies how context influences communication. For example, if someone asks if you're hungry and you reply, "I just had lunch," you're implying you’re not hungry, even though you didn’t say it directly. These implications depend on shared knowledge and social norms, allowing people to convey more than words alone can express. Understanding conversational implicature helps us interpret conversations more accurately and appreciate the nuances in how we communicate.