적합성이론(Relevance Theory)으로 논증을 들여다보기

Abstract

This paper aims to make a pragmatic account of encompassing argumentation by a communicative theory such as Relevance Theory (RT). While communication can be viewed as a discourse in which communicators share their intentions with each other, argumentation is a process of vindicating something in a systematized and logical way, which consists of one or more claims, and presents one or more grounds for supporting them. In general, a speaker conveys his intention to a hearer for the purpose of making an influence in the hearer’s mind. With reference to this point, there have been two relevant pragmatic theories such as RT and Argumentation Theory (AT). Judging from the pragmatic point of view, argumentation can be viewed as a part of communication; thus, it is possible to assume that RT could effectively encompass argumentation. This paper argues that although RT has focuses more on examining the process of communication than how argumentation is performed, by extending the range of its application, it can integrate AT and successfully cover the domain of argumentation as well.