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Presupposition lecture

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The document discusses the concept of presupposition in language. It defines presupposition as a type of inference closely linked to the meaning of an utterance. Presuppositions are assumptions that are taken for granted in an utterance, rather than being directly stated. The document provides examples of utterances and analyzes what they presuppose rather than directly assert. It also discusses different types of presuppositions like strong versus weak presuppositions signaled by articles, possessives, and existential claims.

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PresuppositionDefinitionWe look at presupposition, another kind of inference which is very closely linked to the working of the utterance.
presuppositionDid you get a good look at my face when I took your purse?A burglar, decided to defend himself.What does his utterance presuppose?
Truth-Value1. Truth-valueTruth-value based on languageMy mother is a womanTruth-value based on what is happening in the world.My mother is a doctor
Exercice 3.1, page 17.Types of utterances:DeclarativesImperativesExercice 3.2 p. 19
PresuppositionsDifference between DIRECTLY ASSERTS and PRESUPPOSESExamplesPeter looked for the keys, directly asserts, Peter has looked for the keysWhere has Peter looked for the keys? Presupposes Peter has looked for the keysAnnie has a sofa directly asserts Annie has a sofaDont sit on Annies sofa presupposes Annie has a sofaExercice 3.3 page 20
Strong presuppositions vs. weak presuppostiona. Possessives and articles (definite and indefinite)My, your etcThese make very strong presuppositions.Compare (a) with (b):Peter might find the chocolate cake in the kitchenPeter might find achocolate cake in the kitchenWhich one has the strongest presupposition? b. Existential presuppositionIn simple existential examples like Annie has a cake, the utterance presupposes that a cake exists. However, with some utterances, some existential presuppositions can hide a persuasive message, examine the following utterance:
PresuppositionYoull want DomeBeGone, my revolutionary cure for baldnessObviously, the message directly asserts that you want this product. However, inside the noun phrase my revolutionary cure for baldness lurk several quite dubious messages:There is cure for baldnessThe cure is revolutionaryI have the cureAdvertisers use presupposition as a tool to make indirect assertions.Exercice 3.5 and 3.6 p. 21

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Presupposition lecture

  • 1. PresuppositionDefinitionWe look at presupposition, another kind of inference which is very closely linked to the working of the utterance.
  • 2. presuppositionDid you get a good look at my face when I took your purse?A burglar, decided to defend himself.What does his utterance presuppose?
  • 3. Truth-Value1. Truth-valueTruth-value based on languageMy mother is a womanTruth-value based on what is happening in the world.My mother is a doctor
  • 4. Exercice 3.1, page 17.Types of utterances:DeclarativesImperativesExercice 3.2 p. 19
  • 5. PresuppositionsDifference between DIRECTLY ASSERTS and PRESUPPOSESExamplesPeter looked for the keys, directly asserts, Peter has looked for the keysWhere has Peter looked for the keys? Presupposes Peter has looked for the keysAnnie has a sofa directly asserts Annie has a sofaDont sit on Annies sofa presupposes Annie has a sofaExercice 3.3 page 20
  • 6. Strong presuppositions vs. weak presuppostiona. Possessives and articles (definite and indefinite)My, your etcThese make very strong presuppositions.Compare (a) with (b):Peter might find the chocolate cake in the kitchenPeter might find achocolate cake in the kitchenWhich one has the strongest presupposition? b. Existential presuppositionIn simple existential examples like Annie has a cake, the utterance presupposes that a cake exists. However, with some utterances, some existential presuppositions can hide a persuasive message, examine the following utterance:
  • 7. PresuppositionYoull want DomeBeGone, my revolutionary cure for baldnessObviously, the message directly asserts that you want this product. However, inside the noun phrase my revolutionary cure for baldness lurk several quite dubious messages:There is cure for baldnessThe cure is revolutionaryI have the cureAdvertisers use presupposition as a tool to make indirect assertions.Exercice 3.5 and 3.6 p. 21