Top 6 Best Lessons for the "Practice on Implication" in Grade 12

Question 1, page 79, Grade 12 Literature Textbook, Volume 2:

a. The answer lacks information about the number of cows lost and includes unnecessary details about taking a gun to catch the tiger.

A Phủ’s response acknowledges the loss of the cow and the fact that it was eaten by a tiger, accepting responsibility. The subtlety lies in his intention to redeem himself, subtly hinting that the tiger may be worth far more than the lost cow.

b. Implication refers to the content or meaning that the speaker wishes to convey indirectly, without stating it explicitly. Instead, the speaker hints at it, allowing the listener to infer it.

A Phủ intentionally violates the quantity maxim to create an implication: admitting the loss of the cow, expressing his desire to atone for the crime.

Question 2, page 80, Grade 12 Literature Textbook, Volume 2:

a. "I am not a warehouse" implies: I don’t have enough money to give you whenever you ask.

=> Fails to follow the manner maxim.

b. “Is that you, Chí Phèo?”

=> Calling attention, directing the words to the listener.

“Are you just going to report to others all the time?”

=> Warning, ordering.

c. The first and second utterances of Chí Phèo do not explain the purpose of their words.

=> Fails to follow the quantity and manner maxims.

The implication becomes explicit in the third utterance.

Question 3, page 80, Grade 12 Literature Textbook, Volume 2:

a. The first utterance is not a question but advice.

Through the second utterance, the first carries an added implication: disbelief in the literary skill of the teacher.

b. The teacher’s wife avoids speaking directly because she wishes to preserve the teacher’s dignity and does not want to be held accountable for the implication of her words.

Question 4, page 81, Grade 12 Literature Textbook, Volume 2:

To craft an utterance with an implication, depending on the context, the speaker may use one method or combine several methods.

The correct answer: option D

A. MAIN KNOWLEDGE

I. Review of Key Knowledge

Explicit meaning refers to the part of the message conveyed directly through the words in a sentence. (Explicit meaning is also called overt meaning). Explicit meaning is easily recognized because it appears exactly as it is spoken, and the listener does not need to infer it, everyone understands it in the same way.

Implicature, on the other hand, refers to ideas or meanings that the speaker does not express directly through words, but still intends to communicate to the listener. The listener must rely on the explicit meaning of the sentence and the context of the conversation to infer and fully understand the speaker's intent.

II. Practice with Implicature

Question 1. Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow:

Upon returning home, A Phu quietly threw half a cow down by the peach tree at the door. Pa Tra stepped out and asked:

- How many cows did you lose?

A Phu casually replied:

- I'm going to get my gun, I'll definitely be able to shoot it. This tiger is huge.

Pa Tra waved his hand and said:

- Those thieves made me lose my cow. A Su! Go get the gun and bring the tiger back.

(Tô Hoài, The Couple A Phu)

a) Based on A Phu's response to Pa Tra's question, answer the following:

1. Does the response lack any necessary information to answer the question? The response lacks information about the number of cows lost, A Phu ignored Pa Tra's question.

2. Does the response provide unnecessary information compared to what was asked? A Phu did not mention the number of cows lost and instead talked about his planned action and his belief (I'm going to get my gun, I'll definitely shoot the tiger, it's huge).

3. What implicature is conveyed by A Phu's answer, and how does it reflect his cleverness? A Phu's response contains several implicatures. He did not answer directly, subtly acknowledging the loss of the cows. By mentioning his plan to "redeem himself" (shoot the tiger to make up for the lost cow), he shows confidence that he can kill the tiger, while also calming Pa Tra's anger by saying, "this tiger is huge".

b) Based on the above, we understand that implicature refers to meanings or ideas that are not explicitly stated but still intended to be communicated. The listener must rely on the explicit meaning of the sentence and the context to infer and fully understand the speaker's message.

In this excerpt, A Phu violated the maxim of quantity by not providing enough information about the number of cows lost.

Question 2. Read the following excerpt and answer the questions below:

In situations like this, even the wisest person cannot remain calm, especially when they see someone like Chí Phèo coming to beg for money to buy alcohol. However, the old man prepared five cents in advance, preferring to give it quickly and send him away. But after giving it, he had to yell a little to feel relieved:

- Chí Phèo, is that you? Stop your nonsense, I'm not a bank.

Then, throwing the five cents on the ground, he told him:

- Take it and get lost. Go on and work, stop coming here asking for money.

Chí Phèo stared and pointed at him:

- I didn't come here to ask for five cents.

Seeing Chí Phèo about to cause trouble, the old man softened his tone:

- Alright, take it, I have no more.

Chí Phèo arrogantly replied:

- I told you, I don't want money.

- Good! Today, I see you don't want money. Then what do you need?

Chí Phèo proudly stated:

- I want to be an honest person.

(Nam Cao, Chí Phèo)

Questions:

a) The statement "I'm not a bank" by Bá Kiến implies a refusal to Chí Phèo's usual request for money (the "bank" symbolizes wealth, money, or abundance. I don't have much money).

Does the statement violate the maxim of manner by not being clear enough? Yes, it violates the maxim of manner by not being clear. If it were clear, it would say: "I don't have money to give you like I usually do".

b) In the first and second responses by Bá Kiến, there are questions. What speech act do these questions perform, and what implicatures do they carry?

"Is that you, Chí Phèo?" This is a question but functions as a greeting. The implicature is: What trouble are you causing now?

"Go on and work, stop bothering people." This is a question but performs an order. The implicature is: Chí Phèo should focus on working and stop asking for money.

c) In his first and second responses, Chí Phèo does not fully express his thoughts. Where is the remaining implicature made explicit in his third response?

In the first two responses, Chí Phèo deliberately does not fully express himself. The implicature is made clear in his third response: "I want to be an honest person!"

How does Chí Phèo violate the maxims of quantity and manner?

His first two responses violate the maxims of quantity and manner by being vague and not providing enough information. Not asking for money is ambiguous—then what is he asking for? Not asking for money but saying he needs something is unclear, especially since he had always asked for money before.

Question 3. Read the following humorous story and answer the questions below:

Good Writing

A scholar was sitting and writing diligently. His wife approached and said:

- Wouldn't it be better if you wrote on larger paper?

The scholar, pleased, thought his wife was complimenting his writing skills, assuming that his abundant ideas couldn't fit on smaller paper. But he asked back:

- What do you mean by that?

The wife replied leisurely:

- You don't know how to calculate. Large paper is wasted, but small paper can be used to wrap goods.

(From the humorous story 'The Foolish Men', Văn hóa Publishing House, Hanoi, 1993)

Questions:

a) The wife’s first statement, though phrased as a question, is actually performing what action? In that statement, did she compliment her husband's writing skills or was she actually evaluating them?

The wife’s first statement, though in the form of a question, performs an act of advice: she suggests the scholar use larger paper for writing. Through the second statement, it becomes clear that the first statement also carries an implicit meaning: she does not trust the quality of his writing fully, implying his work might be discarded due to its low quality, which is not what the scholar assumed (that his ideas were abundant).

b) Why did she not say directly what she meant, but instead choose to speak this way?

The wife did not directly state her opinion, but chose to speak in this way to maintain her husband’s dignity, not to embarrass him, and to ensure he wouldn't feel responsible for the implicit message in her words.

Question 4. Based on the exercises above, please identify: To say something implicitly, what strategies do people use? Select the most complete and correct answer.

Choose answer D. To convey an implicit message, people must adapt to the context and use one or a combination of strategies: violating the maxim of quantity, violating the maxim of manner, and using indirect speech acts.

Question 1 (page 79, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2):

a. Referring to the explicit meaning in A Phu's response:

(1) A Phu's answer lacks necessary information required by the question: the number of cattle lost (how many cattle were lost?). A Phu neglects this request from Pa Tra.

(2) A Phu’s response provides more information than the question demands: A Phu does not mention the number of lost cattle but talks instead about his plans and beliefs (I will go back, get my gun, and shoot it, this tiger is huge).

(3) A Phu answers cleverly: instead of responding directly, he indirectly acknowledges the loss of cattle and requests to “redeem himself” (by killing the tiger to make up for the lost cattle), saying “this tiger is huge…” to soothe Pa Tra's anger.

b. Definition: Implication refers to the ideas or thoughts that the speaker does not directly state, yet intends to convey to the listener. The listener must infer the full meaning from the explicit sentence and the context of the conversation.

In this passage, A Phu violates the maxim of quantity (amount of information) in communication by giving additional information that was not requested.

* An implication arises (seeking forgiveness and redemption through the tiger hunt).

Question 2 (page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2):

a. Ba Kien's statement implies a rejection of Chi Pheo’s usual request for money.

The manner of speaking violates the maxim of manner (lack of clarity and precision).

b. Ba Kien uses a question to initiate a call, directing his words at the person, signaling to the person (Chi Pheo) that the words are directed at them, or performing a superior's greeting towards an inferior.

+ "Chi Pheo, is that you?" A question used as a greeting, implying: What problem do you have this time?

+ "Are you working or just coming to ask for money again?" A question with an implied command, suggesting Chi Pheo should focus on his work instead of asking for money as usual.

c. The implication is clarified in the final statement: "I want to be an honorable person."

- The previous two statements violate the maxims of quantity and manner: they lack information and clarity.

Question 3 (page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2):

a. In the first statement, the wife uses a question not to inquire but to suggest an alternative to her husband.

- From the second statement, we understand that in the first statement, the wife was advising her husband to use the paper wisely, implying that his writing was poor and that using paper for writing was wasteful, or even throwing away the paper.

b. The wife chose this approach out of politeness, as she did not want to criticize her husband's writing directly. Instead, she used a suggestion to guide him.

c. Select answer D: Depending on the context, one method may be used or several methods combined.

Question 1 (page 79, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

Referring to the explicit meaning in A Phu's response:

- A Phu fails to provide the necessary information regarding the number of cattle lost.

- The response gives unnecessary information about going to get a gun to hunt the tiger.

- The way A Phu answers implicitly acknowledges the loss of cattle and the tiger’s predation, but he skillfully presents his intention to redeem himself by suggesting that the tiger is worth more than the cattle lost.

b. Implication is the content expressed through the explicit meaning, inferred from the words, and the context.

- A Phu’s response violates the maxim of quantity to create an implication.

Question 2 (page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

Ba Kien's statement "I am not a warehouse" implies:

+ A refusal of Chi Pheo’s usual request for money.

+ The manner of speaking violates the maxim of manner to create an implication.

b. "Chi Pheo, is that you?" A question that acts as a greeting, implying: What trouble do you have now?

+ "Are you working or just coming to ask for money again?" A question with an implied command, suggesting Chi Pheo should focus on his work instead of asking for money as usual.

c. In the first two statements, Chi Pheo deliberately omits some details. The implication becomes clear in the third statement: "I want to be an honorable person".

- The first two statements violate the maxim of quantity and manner: lacking information and clarity, if not asking for money, what else is being asked?

Question 3 (page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

First statement: a question is asked not to inquire, but to advise practically: advising the scribe to write on larger paper.

- In the second statement, the first statement carries an additional implication: not trusting the scribe’s literary ability, suggesting his writing is poor.

b. The wife wants to preserve her husband's dignity and does not want him to feel responsible for the implication in the statement.

Question 4 (page 81, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

To create a statement with an implication, it depends on the context in which the speaker may use a method or combine several methods.

Select answer D

Question 1 (Page 79, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

a) Based on A Phu's response to Pa Tra's question, analyze the following:

(1) What crucial information is missing in A Phu's response, which is necessary for the question?

(2) What unnecessary information does A Phu provide in his answer, which goes beyond the requirements of the question?

(3) What does A Phu's response imply, and how does it demonstrate his cleverness?

Detailed explanation:

a. Looking at the literal meaning in A Phu's response:

(1) A Phu’s response lacks essential information that the question asks for: the number of cows lost (how many cows?).

(2) The answer includes information not required by the question: A Phu talks about his plans and beliefs instead of mentioning the number of cows lost.

(3) A Phu’s response shows cleverness by not directly answering but subtly admitting the loss of cows and then 'asking' for a chance to 'redeem himself through work.'

b.

- The concept of implication: It refers to the ideas or messages a speaker conveys indirectly, which the listener must infer based on the literal meaning of the sentence and the context.

- In the excerpt, A Phu violates the maxim of quantity in communication: he provides unnecessary information that the question did not require.

Question 2 (Page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

a. Ba Kien says, 'I am not a warehouse.' What does this statement imply? Does this comply with the maxim of manner (clarity and directness)?

b. In the first and second turns of Ba Kien's speech, there are questions. What speech acts do these questions perform? What do they imply?

c. In both the first and second turns of Chí Phèo, he doesn't complete his thoughts. Which part of the implication is made explicit in the next speech turn? How do Chí Phèo's first two turns violate the maxims of quantity and manner?

Detailed explanation:

a.

- Ba Kien’s statement implies a refusal to the usual money request from Chí Phèo.

- The statement violates the maxim of manner (lack of clarity and directness).

b.

- In Ba Kien’s first turn, there is a question: 'Chí Phèo, is that you?' This is not an actual inquiry but a greeting with the implication: 'What trouble do you have now?'

- In Ba Kien’s first turn, the question 'Why keep depending on others?' is not a real question but a command: 'Get a job and support yourself.'

c.

- The implication is made explicit in the final line: 'I want to become an honest person.'

- Both turns violate the maxims of quantity and manner: they lack clarity and are incomplete.

Question 3 (Page 80, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

a. The first speech turn of the teacher is phrased as a question, but what speech act does it actually perform (e.g., discouraging, advising, suggesting, complimenting)? Does the teacher imply admiration for the student's writing, or is the evaluation different?

b. Why does the teacher choose to imply her meaning instead of stating it directly in the story?

Detailed explanation:

a.

- The teacher’s first statement: 'Wouldn’t it be better to use larger paper?' appears to be a question but is actually suggesting a choice to the student.

- The second statement shows that the teacher’s first remark implied advice: suggesting that the student should use paper effectively, implying that the student's writing is poor, and that using the paper this way is wasteful.

b. The teacher implies her thoughts delicately to avoid directly criticizing her husband. She uses a suggestion instead of bluntly criticizing his writing style.

Question 4 (Page 81, Literature Textbook 12, Volume 2)

From the previous sections, identify the common ways people express an implicit statement. Choose the most appropriate answer.

Detailed explanation:

To make an implicit statement, people typically violate one or more conversational maxims and use indirect speech acts. They may violate the maxim of quantity (providing too much or too little information), the maxim of relevance (straying from the topic), or the maxim of manner (being vague, indirect, or unclear).

=> Choose D

Key Concepts to Understand

- Definition: Implication refers to the meanings or content that the speaker wants to convey to the listener indirectly, rather than stating them outright. These implications are inferred by the listener from the literal meaning, context, and conversation maxims.

- Functions of implication:

+ Creates a stronger, more profound expressive effect compared to ordinary speech.

+ Maintains politeness and respects the interlocutor's face.

+ Makes the speech more concise.

+ Allows the speaker to avoid taking responsibility for their words (since implications are inferred by the listener).

- Ways to create implications:

+ Intentionally violating the conversation maxims.

+ Using indirect speech acts.

Suggested Answers to Questions

1 - Page 79, Textbook

Read the excerpt below and answer the following questions:

Upon returning home, A Phu tossed half a cow at the base of the peach tree in front of the door. Pa Tra stepped out and asked:

- How many cows are missing?

A Phu answered naturally:

- I’m going to get my gun; I’ll definitely kill it. The tiger is huge.

Pa Tra waved his hand and said:

- Thieves made my cows disappear. A Su! Bring the gun and get the tiger.

(To Hoai, The Couple A Phu)

a) Based on A Phu's response to Pa Tra's question:

(1) What essential information is missing in his answer compared to the question?

(2) What information does his answer include that exceeds the question’s requirements?

(3) What is the implication in A Phu's response, and how does it reflect his cleverness?

b) From this analysis, recall the knowledge you’ve learned in middle school: What is implication? Based on the conversation maxim, how does A Phu intentionally violate the maxim of quantity (information) in his communication?

Answer:

a) If we look at the literal meaning of A Phu's answer:

(1) A Phu’s answer lacks the necessary information about the number of cows lost (how many cows are missing?). He disregarded Pa Tra's request for this information.

(2) His answer includes more information than required by the question: A Phu doesn’t mention the number of cows but instead talks about his plans and confidence (I’ll go get my gun, I can definitely kill it, the tiger is very large).

(3) The implication in A Phu's answer is: the cows were lost because they were eaten by the tiger, but I will kill the tiger. This answer is very clever because it shifts the focus of the conversation, downplaying the issue of lost cows.

b) Implication refers to meanings or ideas that the speaker doesn’t directly express with words but intends to convey to the listener. The listener has to infer the full meaning based on the literal meaning of the sentence and the context. In the excerpt above, A Phu violates the maxim of quantity in communication: A Phu provides additional information not requested by the question, which creates the implication (asking for forgiveness and the possibility of redeeming himself).

2 - Page 79, Textbook

Read the excerpt below and answer the following questions:

In such moments, even the wisest person cannot remain calm. Especially when seeing someone like Chi Pheo, who just came to ask for money to drink alcohol. Nevertheless, the old man prepared five cents in advance. He would rather hand it over quickly to get rid of him, but after handing it over, he had to shout a sentence to ease his mind:

- Is that Chi Pheo?

Then, he threw the five cents on the ground and said to him:

- Take it and leave! Go and make a living instead of bothering people all the time!

Chi Pheo glared and pointed his finger at the old man’s face:

- I didn’t come here to ask for five cents.

Seeing that Chi Pheo was about to get angry, the old man softened his tone:

- Fine, take it then, I have nothing more.

Chi Pheo arrogantly replied:

- I told you I’m not asking for money.

- Good! Today, I finally see you not asking for money. So, what do you want?

Chi Pheo proudly said:

- I want to be a decent person!

(Nam Cao, Chi Pheo)

a) What is the implication in Ba Kien’s sentence “I’m not a storage”? Does this phrasing adhere to the maxim of manner (clear and unambiguous)?

b) In Ba Kien’s first and second turns, there are questions. What is the speech act performed by these questions? What implications do they carry?

c) In his first and second turns, Chi Pheo doesn’t complete his thoughts. Where is the implied meaning made explicit? How does Chi Pheo’s indirect speech violate the maxim of quantity and the maxim of manner?

Answer:

a. Ba Kien’s statement: “I’m not a storage” implies a rejection of Chi Pheo’s usual request for money (the storage - a symbol of wealth and money. I don’t have much money to give you).

The phrasing violates the maxim of manner (it is not clear and unambiguous). A clearer way to say it would be: I don’t have money to give you like I usually do.

b. In Ba Kien’s first turn, there’s a question: “Is that Chi Pheo?”. This question is not actually asking for information, as Chi Pheo is already standing in front of him. The real purpose of this question is to call out, directing his speech to Chi Pheo, or to assert a superior position over the inferior person. Such a speech act carries its own implication.

In Ba Kien’s first turn, the question “Why don’t you just go make a living instead of bothering people?” is not meant to ask but to issue an order: “Go make a living”. This is another indirect speech act with its own implication.

c. In his first and second turns, Chi Pheo doesn’t complete his thoughts, only rejecting the implication in Ba Kien’s words: “I didn’t come here to ask for five cents” and “I already told you I don’t want money”. So, what did he come for? This is the implication. The implied meaning is made explicit in his final statement: “I want to be a decent person.” This phrasing subtly probes Ba Kien’s attitude while adding dramatic tension to the dialogue.

3 - Page 79, Textbook

Read the following humorous story and answer the questions below:

A scholar was writing diligently when his wife came up and said:

- Wouldn’t it be better to write on larger paper?

The scholar, feeling pleased, assumed his wife was praising his literary talent, thinking he had such a wealth of words that the small paper couldn’t contain it. But he asked:

- What do you mean?

The wife leisurely responded:

- You don’t know how to calculate, do you? Large paper can be reused for wrapping, but small paper, what can you do with it?

(From the story “The Foolish Men,” NXB Culture, Hanoi 1993)

a. The first statement by the wife is in the form of a question but actually performs what speech act (preventing, advising, suggesting, praising, etc.)? Did the wife intend to “praise the scholar’s literary skills,” or was she actually criticizing his writing?

b. Why didn’t the wife speak directly but chose this indirect way?

Answer:

a. The wife’s first statement, “Wouldn’t it be better to write on larger paper?”, is in the form of a question but is actually offering advice.

In the second statement, the wife reveals the implication of her first sentence: advising the scholar to use the paper wisely and suggesting that his writing is poor, leading to wasted paper.

b. The wife chose this indirect way of speaking to maintain politeness, avoiding directly criticizing her husband’s writing. She used advice to gently suggest a better option.

4 - Page 79, Textbook

Based on the above sections, identify: To express a sentence with implication, what speech strategies are typically used? Choose the most complete and accurate answer.

A – Intentionally violating the maxim of quantity in communication (providing too much or too little information than required in the conversation)

B – Intentionally violating the maxim of manner (being vague, indirect, unclear, or ambiguous)

C – Using indirect speech acts

D – Depending on the context, using one or a combination of the strategies above.

Answer:

To express a sentence with implication, speakers often intentionally violate one or more conversation maxims, use indirect speech acts, and violate the maxim of quantity (providing excessive or insufficient information) or the maxim of relevance by going off-topic. They may also intentionally violate the maxim of manner by being vague, indirect, or unclear.