Applications
1. Examine each of the following dialogues. Identify any assumptions made by
the speakers. Be precise. If possible, decide whether the assumptions are warranted.
a. Olaf: Did you hear the good news? School may not open on schedule this
year.
Olga: How come?
Olaf: The teachers may be on strike.
Olga: Strike? That’s ridiculous. They’re already making good money.
b. Janice: What movie is playing at the theater tonight?
Mike: I don’t know the title. It’s something about lesbians. Do you want
to go?
Janice: No thanks. I’ll wait for a quality film.
c. Boris: Boy, talk about unfair graders. Nelson’s the worst.
Bridget: Why? What did he do?
Boris: What did he do? He gave me a D on the midterm, that’s all—after
I spent twelve straight hours studying for it. I may just make an appointment to see the dean about him.
d. Mrs. Smith: The Harrisons are having marital problems. I’ll bet they’ll be
separating soon.
Mr. Jones: How do you know?
Mrs. Smith: I heard it at the supermarket. Helen told Gail and Gail told me.
Mr. Jones: I knew it wouldn’t work out. Jeb Harrison is such a blah person.
I can’t blame Ruth for wanting to leave him.
考察下面的每段对话。识别对话者的所有假设。仔细一些。如果可以，判断这些假定是否正当的。
a.奥拉夫：你听说那个好消息了么？学校今年可能不会按时开学了。
奥尔加：为什么？
奥拉夫：老师们可能罢工。
奥尔加：罢工？太荒谬了。他们的收入很不错了。
b.珍妮丝：今天电影院放什么电影啊？
迈克：我不知道电影名。是有关于女同性恋的内容的。你想去看吗？
珍妮丝：不了多谢。我等一个高质量电影吧。
c.鲍里斯：兄弟，说到不公平的打分者。纳尔逊是最坏的一个。
布里奇特：为什么？他做什么了？
鲍里斯：他做什么了？他期中成绩给了我一个D，就是这样——在我连续花了12个小时学习这门课之后。我可能要为了他的事去和系主任约见一次了。
d.史密斯太太：哈里森夫妇正面临婚姻危机。我打赌他们马上就会分手。
琼斯先生：你怎么知道？
史密斯太太：我在超市听见的。海伦告诉了盖尔，盖尔又告诉了我。
琼斯先生：我就知道这事迟早发生。杰布·哈里森是个多无聊的人啊，我不能指责露丝想要离开他。