10 context and language” p. 13. Levinson 1983 writes, “pragmatics covers both
context-dependent aspects of language structure and principles of language usage and understanding that have nothing or little to do with linguistic structure” p. 9.
Pragmatics clarifies the language usage and language structure as the basic concepts in understanding language within contexts. The focus of pragmatics is
how the speakers use language to convey information in communication. Meanwhile, Leech 1992 mentions that, “pragmatics is the study of how language
is used to communicate and also how someone uses language within context in particular ways in communication” p. 19. Thus, based on the theories the writer
states, pragmatics is the language that is used to show our language usage and language structure in our daily communication.
a. Grice’s Cooperative Principle
It is important for speakers to deliver the accurate information to the hearer so the conversation is going to run well. According to Grice 1989, “the
conversational contribution such as is required at the stage at it occurs, by the accepted purpose of the conversation exchange in which you are engaged” p. 26.
Based on the definition, the writer tries to infer that the language in conversations should be conducted in the right rules. It makes the conversation will be efficient
and effective in speaking. In the cooperative principle, the speaker and the hearer shall always assume that all parties involved are cooperative, so that the speaker’s
implied meaning based on their knowledge on a conversational maxim.
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b. Maxims of Conversation
The principle states that the speaker gives contribution in conversation in which the speaker is engaged. This cooperative principle contains four categories,
which are formulated as basic rules or maxims. Maxim is a set of norms which language users adhere to in order to uphold the effectiveness and efficiency of
communication Hatim Mason, 1990, p. 242. Those four maxims are maxim of quantity, maxim of quality, maxim of relevance, and maxim of manner.
a. Maxim of quantity demands the speaker’s contribution is informative as is required and no more informative than is required.
Example of obeying: A: “Where are you going?”
B: “I’m going to the post office.” In the example, B gives comments to A’s statement without adding other
information. b. Maxim of quality requires the speaker not to say what is believed to be false
and for which the speaker lacks adequate evidence. Example of obeying:
A: “Why did you come late last night?” B: “The car was broken down”
In t he example, B gives the truth that his car was broken down so that he came late.
c. Maxim of relevance required the speaker to be relevant. Example of obeying:
A: “Where is my box of chocolates?” B: “It is in your room.”
In the example, B’s reply is related to the question, not talking about something else.
