maxims and universality

[Gregory Ward]

> I think Grice hovers between two interpretations, one being the above,
> while the other is more like norms for efficient exchange of propositional
> information (cf. Lyons's discussion, 1977:593), i.e. something like norms
> for white, efficient males. To see the last interpretation, you need only
> conjure up the picture of a person who never communicates more or less than
> required for the purposes at hand, never says anything for which he lacks
> adequate evidence, never strays into irrelevance etc. The ideal business
> partner, but would you want your daughter to marry one?

wait, the (norm for the) 'ideal business partner' is white (not to
mention male)??  how does race figure into the discussion?

gregory
--

Gregory Ward
Department of Linguistics
Northwestern University
2016 Sheridan Road
Evanston IL  60208-4090

e-mail: gw at nwu.edu
tel: 847-491-8055
fax: 847-491-3770
www: http://www.ling.nwu.edu/~ward