Grammar: relevance-theoretic concerns

Abstract

Relevance theory (Sperber and Wilson, 1986) provides an interesting cognitive framework for the study of how interpretation takes place in face-to-face interaction. However, the applicability of this theory extends beyond conversation and this article also outlines how grammar can be analysed from a relevance-theoretic perspective. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of different studies of grammatical aspects of sentences which overlap with more traditional approaches in order to obtain a more accurate and context-centred picture of grammar. The extensive bibliography provided will surely be useful as a starting point for analysts interested in grammar from a pragmatic perspective.