Relevance Researchers’ Network
The Relevance Researchers’ Network is a space for those working on or using Relevance Theory to come together and discuss ideas.
A sub-group of the network focuses on the learning and teaching of pragmatics and relevance theory.
Upcoming Events
31st of May 2023. 17:30 (UK & Ireland time). Ingrid Lossius Falkum (Oslo). The development of non-literal uses of language.
28th of June 2023 17:30 (UK & Ireland time). Diana Mazzarella (Neuchâtel) Title coming soon!
Relevance Researchers’ Network Conference 2022
Our first Relevance Researchers’ Network Conference took place on the 7th of October 2022.
Latest from the Blog
Didier Maillat (Fribourg). On the manifestness of assumptions: Two applications for commitment and emotions
Abstract Right from the outset, Relevance Theory (Sperber & Wilson 1987/1995) tried to express interpretation as a process of context elaboration. Interpretation is seen as a path of least effort leading to the selection of a set of most accessible assumptions. One of the central aspects of this context elaboration process lies in the fact…
Nicholas Allott: Our theory of communication needs a literal/metaphorical distinction
Abstract Nicholas Allott presenting joint work with Mark Textor Intuitively, figurative uses deviate from literal ones. But work on lexical modulation and polysemy shows that meaning deviation is ubiquitous, even in cases of literal use. Hence, it has been argued, the literal/figurative distinction has no value for theorising about communication. A prominent example is the…
Relevance Researchers' Network 