Publications

Publication details [#3124]

Ervin-Tripp, Susan M. 1976. Is Sybil there? The structure of some American English directives. Language in Society 5 (1) : 25–66.
Publication type
Article in journal
Publication language
English
Keywords
directive, comprehension of | hinting | indirectness | literal meaning | mutual knowledge | obligation | question
Language as a subject
English, American
Journal WWW
journals.cambridge.org/

Annotation

E. argues that except for hints and questions not mentioning what is desired, directives do not require inference from a prior literal interpretation. Instead, where knowledge of obligations and prohibitions is shared, simple interpretation rules suffice, allowing prompt understanding.