implicature

The Calculus of Politeness

Ever wonder why we say "Could you possibly pass the salt?" instead of just "Pass the salt"? This isn't just…

1 month ago

The Unspoken Melody: How Intonation Carries More Meaning Than Words

Beyond vocabulary lies prosody—the music of speech. From the rising inflection that turns a statement into a question to the…

1 month ago

The Euphemism Treadmill: Why We Can’t Stop Inventing New Words for Old Taboos

Ever wonder why we have a dozen words for the toilet? This is the "euphemism treadmill," a linguistic cycle where…

1 month ago

The Power of a Question: How Linguistic Manipulation Shapes Police Confessions

A confession can seem like the most straightforward form of evidence, but the language used to obtain it is incredibly…

1 month ago

The Unwritten Rules of Conversation: Are You Violating Grice’s Maxims?

Ever felt a conversation was awkward or that someone was being evasive, but couldn't pinpoint why? Philosopher Paul Grice proposed…

1 month ago

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