3. Cooperative Principle
The theory of cooperative principle is proposed by linguistics philosopher H.P Grice in 1975. Grice considers that cooperative principle underlies successful
verbal communication. By this principle, the conversation is hoped run smoothly. The cooperative principle is elaborated in four sub-principles called maxims that
must be fulfilled. Those maxims are namely maxim of quantity, maxim of quality, maxim of relation and maxim of manner. In doing the principle, there are two
possibilities can be done by a speaker. The first is the speaker observes the maxims; it is called observance of maxims. The second is the speaker does not
observe the maxims. This is called non-observance maxims.
1. Observance of Maxims
The condition when the speaker successfully fulfills the four maxims to attain effective communication is called observance of maxims. In observance the
maxims, the speaker can use some kinds of expressions called hedges. Hedges also become a signal that the speaker may be in danger of not fully adhering to the
principles Yule, 1996: 37.
a. Maxim of Quantity
Maxim of quantity is dealing with the amount of information an utterance expresses Cruse, 2000: 356. Fulfilling maxim of quantity means that the speaker
should be informative as which is required. The given information that given is should neither too little nor too much. It can cause confusion if the information
given does not as which is required. The sentence ‘Well, to cut a long story short, she didn’t get home till two.’ Cutting, 2002: 34 is the example of maxim of
quantity observed by the speaker. By using phrase ‘to cut a long story short’, the speaker tries to avoid giving too much information. Another example is in the
following conversation: Husband
: Where are the car keys? Wife
: They are on the table in the hall.
Thomas, 1995: 64 In the above dialogue, the wife is observing maxim of quantity by giving
right amount of information that is required by her husband. She says precisely what she means. There is no additional conveyed meaning in the wife’s utterance
so her husband understands her utterance.
b. Maxim of Quality
Cutting 2002: 35 explains that the speakers fulfill maxim of quality if they are sincere. The speakers are assumed to saying something that they believe
corresponds to reality and do not say something that they believe to be false. They should have enough evidence before saying something. In other words, they
should guarantee the truthfulness of their utterances. Yule 1996: 38 explains that in observance maxim of quality, the speaker can use expressions such as as far as
I know, I may be mistaken, I’m not sure, I guess which indicate that what speakers
are saying may not be totally accurate. Grice 1975: 47 briefly gives the example of observance of maxim of
quality as follows. … I expect your contributions to be genuine and not spurious. If I need
sugar as an ingredient in the cake you are assisting me to make, I do not expect that you to hand me salt; if I need a spoon, I do not expect a trick spoon
made of rubber.
Participants are expected to provide information that they believe to be true and they are expected to avoid providing false information as well as the
information which does not have any evidence.
c. Maxim of Relation
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