Flouting the cooperative principle of the Biden-Trump (2020)‎ first presidential debate : a pragmatic analysis

Abstract EN

This study pragmatically analyzes the text of the first 2020 US presidential debate.

The study aims to find out : Whether there is non-observance of the data in presidential debates which results in flouting Grice’s maxims; and If there are specific pragmatic strategies used as tools in flouting these maxims.

The paper hypothesizes that : The presidential debates contain a significant number of non-observances of the data which results in flouting the maxims of quantity, quality, manner, and relation.

and There are specific strategies which are used frequently as tools in flouting these principles.

To test the hypotheses, the paper analyzes the selected data through an eclectic model which comprises the combination of Grice’s (1975) “Cooperative Principle” to account for any potential non-observance of these principles, as well as the pragmatic strategies of Metaphor, Irony, Hyperbole / Overstatement, Sarcasm / Mockery, Dysphemism, Simile, Presupposition, and Banter.

The study concludes that the maxim of relation is the mostly flouted maxim and that metaphor, overstatement, and hyperbole are the strategies used, respectively, in every flouting of the Grice’s maxims.