meaning which is different from, or in addition to, the expressed meaning. Such an additional meaning Grice calls ‘conversational implicature’ and he terms the
process by which it is generated ‘flouting a maxim’.
2.3.1.1 Flouting the Maxim of Quantity
A flout of the maxim of Quantity occurs when a speaker blatantly gives more or less information than the situation requires. An example of flouting of the maxim
Quantity can be seen as follows Thomas, 1995: 69. A : How are we getting there?
B : Well, we’re getting there in Dave’s car.
Thomas 1995: 69 points out further that in the above interaction, B gives less information than A needs, thereby generating the implicature that, B and B’s
friends Dave have a plan to go together, and A will not be travelling with them.
2.3.1.2 Flouting the Maxim of Quality
Flouts which exploit the maxim of Quality occur when the speaker says something which is blatantly untrue or for which he or she lacks adequate
evidence. The following is an example of the flouting of the maxim of Quality Thomas 1995: 67.
Elizabeth : A lot of people are depending on you. Meredith : Thanks, that really takes the pressure off.
Thomas 1995:67 explains further that knowing ‘a lot of people are depending on you’ does not take the pressure off. Meredith is saying something
obviously untrue. By saying something clearly untrue, Meredith is implying that the opposite is true sarcasm. The true meaning being expressed here is probably
more like ‘That really puts a lot of pressure on me’ and perhaps, by extension, ‘Stop pressuring me’.
2.3.1.3 Flouting the Maxim of Relation
The maxim of Relation ‘be relevant’ is exploited by making a response or observation which is very obviously irrelevant to the topic in hand e.g. by
abruptly changing the subject, or by overtly failing to address the other person’s goal in asking a question. The following example is the flouting of the maxim of
Relation by changing the subject or by failing to address the topic directly which are encountered very frequently Thomas 1995: 70.
Anna : You really love me? John : I like Ferris wheels, and college football, and things that go real
fast.
In the example above, John is changing the topic. Therefore, he tends to flout the maxim of Relation. The implication is that John does not want to respond
to Anna, perhaps he has problems discussing his feelings or the answer is “No”.
2.3.1.4 Flouting the Maxim of Manner
