scholarly journals Lingua-Ethological Causes of Communicative Failures: Pragmatic Aspect

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Olga Dubtsova ◽  
Viktoriia Petrenko ◽  
Oksana Kovalenko ◽  
Nataliia Samsonenko

The paper reveals and describes communicative failures caused by differences in structures of communicants’ lingua-ethological encyclopedic knowledge based on the cognitive theory of dynamic construal of meaning. А communicative failure is viewed as a speech-behavioural act, where there is no semiosis (the addresser’s verbal and/or non-verbal utterance does not evoke any conventional conceptual content in the addressee’s mind) or there is ambivalent semiosis (the addresser and addressee privilege different aspects of the conceptual content structured by different frames (scripts)/domains, which results in the divergence between the addressee’s inferences and addresser’s presuppositions. It is alleged that communicative failures can be caused by differences in structures of communicants’ lingua-ethological knowledge of general principles regulating communicative behaviour. The addresser’s verbal and/or non-verbal utterance triggers different aspects of the conventional conceptual content in the minds of the communicants structured by different frames (scripts)/domains, which leads to the divergence between the addressee’s inferences and addresser’s presuppositions. Differences in structures of communicants’ lingua-ethological encyclopedic knowledge result from the addressee’s failure to select the most relevant way of interpreting the addresser’s utterance due to the violation of interpersonal rhetoric principles, in particular, Relevance Theory principles caused by a disregard of lingual and extra-lingual context of a communicative act. This results in a false interpretation of homonymous verbal utterances, utterance implicatures enabling both literal and metaphorical interpretation or implicatures connected with recognizing irony/sarcasm as well as the addresser’s communicative intentions and utterance addressing.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
AWEJ for Translation & Literary Studies ◽  
Rafat Y. Alwazna

The elements of encoding, transferring and decoding are crucial in all processes of communication, however, drawing the appropriate inference from the current context is equally important in communication according to relevance theory (Gutt, 1998, p. 41). Semantic content is not always sufficient to fully comprehend the exact meaning of a particular utterance as the meaning of that utterance may hinge upon the contextual detail with which it is inferentially associated. The success of the process of communication relies on whether or not the recipient makes use of the context intended by the speaker. Failure to do so would give rise to miscommunication (Gutt, 1998, p. 42). Translation, as a communicative act, involves interpretation made by the translator, which takes the context of the target text (TT) reader and his/her knowledge into consideration. The present paper argues that even though the translator, according to relevance theory, is required to reproduce a TT that can stand as a faithful rendering of the source text (ST), the translator, however, needs to make his/her translated text relevant to the target reader. This, in many instances, may demand following certain procedures of explications in the TT to equip the target reader with the relevant contextual information needed to draw the appropriate inferences from the utterance concerned, and therefore make the right interpretation. Such exegesis needs to be added to the target text as what is inferable for the ST user may not be inferable for the TT receiver owing to cognitive and cultural differences.


Author(s):  
Deirdre Wilson

This concluding chapter reflects in general terms on some aspects of relevance theory that have been fruitfully used in the analyses in this volume, and on some aspects of literary communication that have been seen by both supporters and critics of relevance theory as showing the need for modifications to the inferential mechanisms it proposes. After distinguishing comprehension (identifying the intended import of a communicative act) from interpretation (going beyond the intended import to draw one’s own conclusions), it discusses a range of stylistic and rhetorical effects—typically created by departures from expected syntax, lexis, or prosody—which provide tentative cues to ostension and therefore create greater expectations of relevance. It ends by considering how relevance theory might deal with the ‘non-propositional effects’ associated with images, emotions, and sensorimotor processes while remaining within the bounds of a properly inferential theory.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Huimin Lu ◽  
Liang Hu ◽  
Gang Liu ◽  
Jin Zhou

This study proposes an intelligent algorithm that can realize information fusion in reference to the relative research achievements in brain cognitive theory and innovative computation. This algorithm treats knowledge as core and information fusion as a knowledge-based innovative thinking process. Furthermore, the five key parts of this algorithm including information sense and perception, memory storage, divergent thinking, convergent thinking, and evaluation system are simulated and modeled. This algorithm fully develops innovative thinking skills of knowledge in information fusion and is a try to converse the abstract conception of brain cognitive science to specific and operable research routes and strategies. Furthermore, the influences of each parameter of this algorithm on algorithm performance are analyzed and compared with those of classical intelligent algorithms trough test. Test results suggest that the algorithm proposed in this study can obtain the optimum problem solution by less target evaluation times, improve optimization effectiveness, and achieve the effective fusion of information.


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Romero ◽  
Belén Soria

In this article we show the evolution of the view of metaphor in relevance theory and challenge its deflationary account of metaphor, defended from its inception, as loosening in a continuum. In current relevance theory, loose uses not only convey implicatures but also explicatures in which ad hoc concepts appear (CARSTON, 2002, 2010a; SPERBER; WILSON, 2008). These, in the case of metaphor, cause the emergent property issue which, according to them, is solved taking into account that a loose use may be included in a loose use (WILSON; CARSTON, 2008). In addition, the most creative cases have to be explained considering an interpretation route different from ad hoc concept construction (CARSTON, 2010b). These moves generate new problems and thus we argue that metaphorical interpretation can be better explained resorting to metaphorical ad hoc concepts that result from a partial mapping from one conceptual domain into another (ROMERO; SORIA, 2005).


Author(s):  
Владимир Шапошников ◽  
Vladimir Shaposhnikov

The semantic potential of word of high communicative significance and conceptual content, designation of a fact is revealed. This potential characterizes the existence and development of the lexeme. The semantic field formed in representing of factuality semantic field is ruled by nominative qualities of the fundamental unit. The changes are carried out in lexical-semantic and derivational processes. New phenomena of factual nomination in contemporary Russian language are described.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abel Duarte Alonso ◽  
Seng Kok ◽  
Nikolaos Sakellarios ◽  
Seamus O’Brien

Purpose The purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the significance of self-efficacy and knowledge acquisition among micro businesses operating in challenging economic environments. The study uses social cognitive theory (SCT) and the knowledge-based theory of the firm (KBTF), and it proposes a refinement of these theoretical frameworks in the context of the study. Design/methodology/approach A case method was chosen, and face-to-face interviews with 14 owners of firms in island and rural regions of Greece and Spain were conducted. Findings Content analysis identified the importance of self-efficacy, primarily illustrated by entrepreneurs’ determination and self-motivation, propensity to take risks and ability to anticipate consequences of their actions. Acquisition and accumulation of explicit knowledge, particularly through generational or mentoring processes, and subsequent wealth of tacit knowledge, also emerged as very significant in preparing and guiding entrepreneurs. Various links between the adopted theories and findings emerged, particularly regarding forethought, vicarious learning (SCT) and specialisation in knowledge acquisition (KBTF). Originality/value The proposed theoretical refinement based on the SCT and KBTF paradigms allows for a more rigorous, in-depth reflection on the links between cognitive elements present in the participating micro entrepreneurs and knowledge-based attributes on their ability to increase organisational resilience. The study also contributes toward the micro business literature and addresses a knowledge gap, particularly, in that contemporary research has not explored entrepreneurial motivations among small firm entrepreneurs. Finally, the practical implications emerging from the findings provide a platform for various stakeholders (associations, government agencies) to appreciate and support entrepreneurs’ needs, notably, of acquiring, increasing and sharing knowledge.


Author(s):  
Holubenko N.I.

The article highlights the problem of the modal expression of dialogic speech in literary translation. The special characteristics of the dialogue are determined, one of which is modality as a functional-semantic category that expresses different types of the speaker’s attitude to what is being said. The category of modality provides dialogicity as a property of the text, emphasizing its communicative nature as one of the units of linguistic communication, the content of which is related to the attitude to valuable life things, thus requiring appropriate understanding and interpretation. Objective modality reflects the nature of the objective connections to which the cognitive act is directed, namely the connections that are possible, valid and necessary. Subjective modality is an assessment by a person that indicates the degree of credibility of the opinion that reflects the situation. The semantic basis of subjective modality is formed by the concept of evaluation, which includes not only the logical qualification of the message, but also different types of emotional attitudes. Subjective modality has language resources that tend to infinity. This essential feature can take the form of assertions, remarks, clarifications, assumptions, desires, etc. and be expressed by grammatical, lexical and prosodic means. However, the problem of modality of dialogic speech deserves more close attention, as there is a certain feature of expression of certain modal expressions in the studied functional type. One of the most important psychological features of dialogic speech lies in its situationality, which is manifested in the fact that its content can be understood only in the situation to which it refers, and therefore requires the translator to adequately interpret the situation. The study of the specifics of symmetrical or asymmetrical expression of modal meanings in original and translated works of art is the first task of the proposed investigation. The article highlights the thesis that in case of misinterpretation of the statement, namely the transmission of the wrong modality of the message, which was laid down by the author in the communicative act, information failures and therefore the asymmetry of perception of the message will occur.Key words: category of modality, dialogic speech, speech acts, communicative-pragmatic aspect, specifics of translation. У статті обґрунтовано питання співвіднесеності модального вираження діалогічного мовлення в художньому перекладі. Визначаються особливі характеристики діалогу, однією з яких постає модальність як функційно-семантична категорія, що виражає різні види ставлення мовця до висловлюваного. Категорія модальності забезпечує діалогічність як властивість тексту, підкреслюючи його комунікативну природу як однієї з одиниць мовного спілкування, зміст яких пов’язаний зі ставленням до цінності й вимагає відповідного розуміння та інтерпретації. Об’єктивна модальність відбиває характер об’єктивних зв’язків, на які спрямований пізнавальний акт, а саме зв’язки можливі, дійсні й необхідні. Суб’єктивна модальність – це оцінка з боку особи, яка вказує на ступінь правдивості думки, що відбиває ситуацію. Смислову основу суб’єктивної модальності утворює поняття оцінки, що містить не тільки логічну кваліфікацію повідомлення, але й різні види емоційного ставлення. Суб’єктивна модальність має мовні ресурси, які прагнуть до нескінченності. Ця істотна ознака може набувати вигляду твердження, зауваження, уточнення, припущення, бажання тощо й виражатися граматичними, лексичними й просодичними засобами. Однак проблема модальності діалогічного мовлення заслуговує пильнішої уваги, оскільки існує певна особливість вираження тих чи інших модальних висловлювань у досліджуваному функціо-нальному типі. Однією з найважливіших психологічних особливостей діалогічного мовлення є його ситуативність, яка проявляється в тому, що часто його зміст можна зрозуміти лише з урахуванням тієї ситуації, до якої він належить, а отже, вимагає від перекладача адекватної інтерпретації ситуації. Вивчення специфіки симетричного чи асиметричного вираження модальних значень в оригінальних і перекладних художніх творах і є першим завданням пропонованої розвідки. У статті особливого викладення набуває теза про те, що в разі неправильної інтерпретації висловлювання, а саме передавання не тієї модальності повідомлення, що була закладена автором у комунікативному акті, виникають інформаційні збої, а отже, асиметрія сприйняття пові-домлення постає в центрі уваги дослідження.Ключові слова: категорія модальності, діалогічне мовлення, мовленнєві акти, комунікативно-прагматичний аспект, специфіка перекладу.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 2260
Author(s):  
Akberova Flora Samender

It is known that the texts are identical in terms of their communicative-pragmatic styles. The texts of all types (economic, artistic, political and so on) seem to have common pragmatic communicative functions. There are two main factors in terms of economic data to be transmitted within the texts which are defined: a) the economic intratextual communicative interaction of the components of the act; b) components of the mutual relations between the texts found in the communicative act. Since the texts are the object of the linguistic study highlighted in terms of communication, the understanding of the texts of the text in the frame of extratextual economic factors has attracted the attention of researchers. In this case, the reader gets familiar with the text visually, through reading the text, through the impact of the economic mechanism, taking into account the pragmatic aspect of the components and the pragmatic realization of their characteristic.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 980-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Karayev

Abstract Currently, many problems beset sustainable management of Caspian sturgeon stocks, some outside the traditional theory of fishery management. Successfully solving such problems requires different models of population dynamics, reflecting the phenomenological properties of sturgeon stocks, the consequences of their overexploitation, and issues relating to environmental pressure on the ecosystem in which they live. Of the many analytical tools available to address the various questions, problem-orientated models are few. Their development demands a new approach, a new modelling paradigm, and new modelling tools that meet the modern ideas of ecosystem analysis and cognitive theory. This paper offers one such new paradigm and describes a knowledge-based modelling technique that may provide realization of this paradigm. A problem-orientated version of knowledge-based models is described, the applicability of such models in attempting to solve the practical issues of sturgeon fisheries management is reviewed, and an example of model implementation is given.


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