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Journals / Dilbilim / 2026 / Sayı: 46

Decoding Particularized Conversational Implicature in the Movie “Blended”: A Pragmatic Analysis

Sholihatul Hamidah Daulay(Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)0000-0002-7660-8763
Devika Adelita(Politeknik Negeri Medan)0000-0001-9730-8818
S. Shaumiwaty(Institut Agama Islam Negeri Takengon)0000-0002-9576-8025
K. Kamalia(Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)0009-0000-6222-1931
Siti Ismahani(Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)0000-0003-4398-9149
Khairun Niswa(Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara)0000-0003-4694-1845
Emeliya Sukma Dara Damanik(Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara)0009-0003-1147-2951
Journal
Dilbilim
Pages
66–82
Publication Date
2026-05-08
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that most PCI in the film flout the maxims of quantity and relation and function primarily as representative and expressive speech acts.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study explores particularized conversational implicatures (PCI) in the romantic comedy film Blended (2014), focusing on how implied meanings arise from specific conversational contexts.
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Key Findings & Data:These implicatures illustrate the social and emotional dynamics between characters, enhance comedic effects, and improve interpersonal communication.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that most PCI in the film flout the maxims of quantity and relation and function primarily as representative and expressive speech acts.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2014 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Conversational Implicature · Flouting · Gricean Maxims

Abstract

This study explores particularized conversational implicatures (PCI) in the romantic comedy film Blended (2014), focusing on how implied meanings arise from specific conversational contexts. Using a qualitative method, nine utterances were identified and analyzed in light of Paul Grice’s theory of implicature. The information was gathered by repeatedly watching and recording the dialogues in the film, then pragmatically interpreting and classifying the implicatures. According to the analysis, particularized conversational implicatures in Blended are often the result of transgressions of the relevance and manner maxims, which are frequently driven by character relationships, humour, sarcasm, or emotional expression. These implicatures illustrate the social and emotional dynamics between characters, enhance comedic effects, and improve interpersonal communication. The findings reveal that most PCI in the film flout the maxims of quantity and relation and function primarily as representative and expressive speech acts. While the data set is limited, the analysis illustrates how context shapes meaning, reflecting characters’ intentions, politeness strategies, and humour. These insights demonstrate the potential of film dialogue as a resource for teaching pragmatics. However, further research with larger data sets is needed to enhance generalizability. The study concludes that particularized implicatures contribute meaningfully to character development and illustrate authentic language use. As such, they can serve as valuable material for teaching pragmatics in language education settings.

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Cite This Article

Daulay, S. H., Adelita, D., Shaumiwaty, S., Kamalia, K., Ismahani, S., Niswa, K., Damanik, E. S. D. (2026). Decoding Particularized Conversational Implicature in the Movie “Blended”: A Pragmatic Analysis. Dilbilim, Sayı: 46, 66–82. https://doi.org/10.26650/jol.2026.1898802

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