implicature

[/ɪmˈplɪkətʃər/]
nounpl: implicatures
implicatura
1. In linguistics and philosophy of language, something that is implied or suggested by an utterance, even though it is not explicitly stated; what a speaker suggests or implies without directly saying it
When someone says 'I have some of the cookies,' the implicature is that they don't have all of them.
Quando alguém diz 'Eu tenho alguns dos biscoitos', a implicatura é que não tem todos eles.
2. A conversational inference derived from Grice's cooperative principle, where the listener understands meaning beyond the literal words spoken
The implicature of 'Can you pass the salt?' is a request, not a genuine question about ability.
A implicatura de 'Você pode passar o sal?' é um pedido, não uma pergunta genuína sobre capacidade.
This is a technical term from linguistic theory developed by philosopher H.P. Grice. It is used primarily in academic settings in both Brazil and the United States when discussing how language conveys meaning beyond literal interpretation. The concept is fundamental to understanding pragmatics and has significant influence in contemporary philosophy of language, semantics, and communication studies.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
implicationinferencesuggestionhintinsinuation
Antonyms / Antônimos
explicit statementliteral meaningdirect expression

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
implicatura
Standard term used in academic linguistic contexts
Portugal
implicatura
Used identically to Brazilian Portuguese in linguistic discourse
USA Academic
implicature
Formal term primarily used in university-level philosophy and linguistics courses

Related Words

pragmaticssemanticsGricecooperative principleconversational implicatureconventional implicature

Related Idioms & Phrases

read between the lines
what someone is really saying
subtext
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