Go Figure: The Strategy of Nonliteral Speech
نویسندگان
چکیده
We develop a model of figurative or indirect speech, which may convey a meaning that differs from its literal meaning. The model yields analytical conditions for speech to be figurative in equilibrium and delivers a number of comparative statics results. For instance, it predicts that the likelihood of figurative speech is greater if the benefit to the listener of correctly understanding the speaker is greater. We then apply the model to analyze particular forms of indirect speech, including terseness, irony, and veiled bribery. Interestingly, the model provides a novel argument for the effectiveness of laws that strictly punish attempted bribery.
منابع مشابه
Where in the Brain Is Nonliteral Language?
This review examines brain processing of nonliteral expressions that are familiar in form and meaning to the native speaker, such as idioms, proverbs, swearing, and speech formulas. The properties of stereotyped form and conventional meaning distinguish nonliteral utterances from novel expressions. An historical overview of preserved “automatic” speech in aphasia and impaired nonpropositional s...
متن کاملHow do individuals with Asperger syndrome respond to nonliteral language and inappropriate requests in computer-mediated communication?
Computer-mediated communication in individuals with Asperger syndrome, Tourette syndrome and normal controls was explored with a program called Bubble Dialogue (Gray, Creighton, McMahon, and Cunninghamn (1991)) in which the users type text into speech bubbles. Two scenarios, based on Happé (1994) were adapted to investigate understanding of figure of speech and sarcasm, and a third, developed b...
متن کاملAre Verbal Fluency and Nonliteral Language Comprehension Deficits Related to Depressive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease?
Depression in Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with executive deficits, which can influence nonliteral comprehension and lexical access. This study explores whether depressive symptoms in PD modulate verbal fluency and nonliteral language comprehension. Twelve individuals with PD without depressive symptoms, 13 with PD and depressive symptoms (PDDSs), and 13 healthy controls co...
متن کاملL2 Learners’ Lexical Inferencing: Perceptual Learning Style Preferences, Strategy Use, Density of Text, and Parts of Speech as Possible Predictors
This study was intended first to categorize the L2 learners in terms of their learning style preferences and second to investigate if their learning preferences are related to lexical inferencing. Moreover, strategies used for lexical inferencing and text related issues of text density and parts of speech were studied to determine their moderating effects and the best predictors of lexical infe...
متن کاملExplaining the Time-Course of Literal and Nonliteral Comprehension
Over the last few decades, a considerable number of experimental studies have been made on the time-course of literal and nonliteral comprehension. These studies have been devoted to test two incompatible models of nonliteral processing: serial model and parallel (direct) model. The serial model states that literal interpretation is an obligatory process and nonliteral interpretation is trigger...
متن کامل