Different scalar terms are affected by face differently

International Review of Pragmatics, vol. 12, pp. 1–43

Abstract

Abstract Research on the effect of face-orientation on scalar implicatures has claimed that face-threatening contexts are one type of context in which scalar implicatures are not warranted. However, that research has been based on the two staples of scalar implicature research, some and or. Given research on scalar diversity has shown that these terms are rather exceptional in inducing high rates of scalar implicatures, we believe it is time for a reassessment. We explored the relationship between scalar implicatures and face concerns by means of an experiment involving eight types of scalar terms in face-boosting and face-threatening contexts. While our results showed that some and or reliably tended to induce scalar implicatures in both types of contexts, confirming the findings of scalar diversity research in this respect, we failed to replicate previous findings that face-threatening contexts do not induce scalar implicatures. We discuss reasons for these findings and how face concerns should be implemented for future experimentation in this vein.

Authors 3

1. Marina Terkourafi Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   1 Leiden University

2. Benjamin Weissman

   Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

   Affiliation as printed

   2 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

3. Joseph Roy

   American Society For Engineering Education

   Affiliation as printed

   3 The American Society for Engineering Education