Glossary of Linguistic Terms

Conventional Implicature

Definition: 

Conventional implicature is an implicature that is:

  • part of a lexical item’s or expression’s agreed meaning, rather than derived from principles of language use, and
  • not part of the conditions for the truth of the item or expression.
Examples: 

(English)

  • A speaker using the word but between coordinate clauses thinks that some contrast or concession relation is relevant between the clauses.
Source: 
127–128