Pragmatik
Echo and Mention in the Dan Sperber and Deidre Wilson's Theory of Irony - Polemics

Author: Roguska, Magdalena

Source: Linguistische Berichte, Volume 2007, Number 211, August 2007 , pp. 309-330(22)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $20.60 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

In this paper, I discuss the Sperber/Wilson theory of irony. I argue that this theory does not accomplish its goal, due to the obscurity, broadness and ad hoc application of its key notions: “echo” and “mention.” In particular:

1. The notion of echo is too broad. It applies to imagined utterances or thoughts. This leads to odd explanations. One has to assume that the speaker is echoing her own utterances or thoughts. This assumption would be ad hoc. From a practical point of view this leads to a situation in which the hearer does not recognize the intended irony, because she does not recognize the echo character of the utterance.

2. The notion of mention is too broad, too. It varies from cases of direct quotation to cases of interpretive resemblance. This latter possibility allows an assumption that the speaker echoes some imagined content indirectly by interpreting its implications, which is absurd.

3. The Relevance Principle is not a convincing limit for the echo interpretation. In cases of echoing of some imagined content it is more relevant (in the sense of S&W) to assume that the ironic remark applies to some situation in the world. In many cases, echo interpretation of irony increases effort, which contradicts the Relevance Principle.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-08-01

More about this publication?

"Linguistische Berichte" is open-minded regarding linguistic subjects and methods, but attaches great importance to theoretical reasoning and empirical validation.
Since its foundation in 1969 by Peter Hartmann and Arnim von Stechow, the journal is an academic forum where serious views within linguistics and similar fields of studies (psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, language acquisition and teaching, literary studies, philosophy, and computer linguistics) are discussed equally.
The purpose is to provide an objective and critical documentation of linguistic developments. Besides, the forum is open for each level of scientific work, i.e. for everyone who is dealing with linguistic-based work (undergraduates, assistants, and professors).
New research results and linguistic developments are published quickly and comprehensively, and contributions are normally published within one year after acceptance by the editors.
Editorial Board
Subscribe to this Title
ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites