Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics.pdf

A-Z 729mathematical logicformal logicmatrix [Lat. matrix ‘parent tree’]Two dimensional tabular representation taken from geometry which is used in linguisticsto describe phonological, syntactic, semantic and other units using features. For anexample, see the analysis of kinship terms in componential analysis.matrix sentenceTerm introduced by R.B.Lees indicating a superordinate sentence in which partialsentences ( constituent clauses) are embedded ( embedding). Matrix sentencescorrespond to the traditional term main clause in as far as the S-node of the main clauseis not dominated by S; i.e. each complex sentence contains only one main clause, butsometimes several matrix sentences as embedded structures for constituent clauses.ReferenceLees, R.B. 1960. The grammar of English nominal-izations. Bloomington, IN.maxim of conversationTerm introduced by H.P.Grice in a 1967 lecture (see Grice 1975) to denote thoserequirements accepted as reasonable for effective communication which, if violated,could cause a breakdown in communication. Drawing on Kant’s four logical functions ofreason, Grice postulates four maxims of conversation: (1) maxim of quantity (make yourcontribution as informative as necessary for the current purposes of the exchange, but nomore informative than necessary); (2) maxim of quality (try to make your contributionone that is true: do not say what you believe to be false; do not say anything for whichyou lack adequate evidence); (3) maxim of relevance (make your contribution relevant);and (4) maxim of manner (be clear, avoid ambiguity; be brief and orderly). Grice derivesthese conversational maxims from his cardinal maxim, the so-called ‘co-operativeprinciple’: ‘Make your contribution such as is required, at the stage at which it occurs, by