The document discusses flouting and violating maxims, which are ways that speakers can deliberately fail to observe conversational maxims for the purpose of implicature (flouting) or to mislead (violating). It provides examples of characters flouting or violating the maxim of quality by lying or avoiding direct answers. Among the examples are a boy lying about studying all day, a student arriving late to class, friends avoiding directly answering where they are or have been, and characters avoiding answering direct questions about conversations or possessions.

1. Flouting and Violating Maxims
Source: Khosravizadeh, P and Sadehvandi, N. 2011. Some instances of Violation and
Flouting of the Maxim of Quality by Main Characters (Barry & Tim) in Dinner for
Schmucks. Conference: International Conference of Literature, and Linguistics.

2. Flouting vs violating maxim
Flouting
• Speaker fails to observe a
maxim with deliberate
intention on generating
implicature
Violating
• People may quietly and
unostentatiously violate a
maxim with intention to
mislead

3. Maxim of …………..
Violating
The boy has been playing
games for hours when her
mother asks.
Mother : Did you study all day
long?
Son : Yes, I’ve been
studying till now!
Flouting
Teacher to a student who
arrives late more than ten
minutes to the class meeting
T: Wow! You’re such a
punctual fellow! Welcome to
the class.
S: Sorry Sir! It won’t happen
again.

4. Maxim of …………….
……………..
Ali: Where are you, Majid?
Majid: I’m in my clothes.
Ali: That I know. I mean
seriously, where are you man?
Majid: Well, at work, but I’ll be
finished in two hours
…………….
John: Where have you been?
I searched everywhere
for you during the past
three months!
Mike: I wasn’t around. So,
what’s the big deal?

5. Maxim of …………….
……………..
Bob: What were you and Anna
talking about? You were looking
at me all the time.
Marry: Oh, well….why don’t we
get something to drink?
Bob: Are you avoiding this
conversation? There has to be
something going on about me!
Why aren’t you brave enough to
tell me?
Marry: Well, you know…they
think that you are the one who
stole that money
…………….
Teacher: Why didn’t you do
your homework?
Student: May I go and get
some water? I’m so thirsty.

6. Maxim of……………
…………………………
Sarah: Did you enjoy the party
last night?
Anna: There was plenty of
oriental food on the table, lots
of flowers all over the place,
people hanging around
chatting with each other.
…………………………..
Wife: Darling….what’s the
story with that new watch on
your wrist?
Husband: Oh, this watch
you’re talking about! I knew
it….I told my boss that my wife
would be curious when she
sees it. Oh, honey you have no
idea how much they’re
satisfied with my performance
lately.