Single Idea 9043

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 5. Pragmatics / b. Implicature]

Full Idea

Sometimes we use expressions with the overriding intention to conform to the use made of them by some other person or persons. I shall say we use the expression 'deferentially'; examples might be 'viol' or 'minuet'.

Gist of Idea

We use expressions 'deferentially', to conform to the use of other people

Source

Gareth Evans (The Causal Theory of Names [1973], §II)

Book Reference

Evans,Gareth: 'Collected Papers' [OUP 1985], p.21


A Reaction

I presume Evans wasn't very musical. This label sounds useful, if you wish to connect Grice's account of meaning with Putnam's externalist account of concepts, where deference to experts is crucial. Is all linguistic usage deferential?