The Calculus of Politeness
Ever wonder why we say "Could you possibly pass the salt?" instead of just "Pass the salt"? This isn't just arbitrary fluff; it's a high-speed mental calculation explained by Politeness…
Tag: implicature
The Unspoken Melody: How Intonation Carries More Meaning Than Words
Beyond vocabulary lies prosody—the music of speech. From the rising inflection that turns a statement into a question to the sarcastic tone that flips meaning on its head, the unspoken…
The Euphemism Treadmill: Why We Can’t Stop Inventing New Words for Old Taboos
Ever wonder why we have a dozen words for the toilet? This is the "euphemism treadmill," a linguistic cycle where our polite words for taboo subjects inevitably become tainted by…
The Power of a Question: How Linguistic Manipulation Shapes Police Confessions
A confession can seem like the most straightforward form of evidence, but the language used to obtain it is incredibly complex. Police interrogations are a masterclass in linguistic manipulation, where…
The Unwritten Rules of Conversation: Are You Violating Grice’s Maxims?
Ever felt a conversation was awkward or that someone was being evasive, but couldn't pinpoint why? Philosopher Paul Grice proposed four "maxims" (Quality, Quantity, Relevance, Manner) that govern successful, cooperative…