Relevance theory

Abstract

Relevance theory’s central claim is that our expectations of relevance are precise and predictable enough to guide the listener toward the meaning of the speaker. The goal in this article is to explain in cognitively realistic terms to what such expectations are equivalent, and how they can contribute to an empirically plausible approach to understanding. For such, the main assumptions of the current version of the theory are outlined, and some of their implications are discussed.