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php/jell Exploring Conversational and Conventional Implicatures in Sara BareillesAo Songs: She Used to Be Mine and Brave Bejo Sutrisno sutrisno@uai.
Applied Linguistic Department.
Faculty of Knowledge and Culture.
Universitas Al-Azhar Indonesia Maya Risa maya_risa@stibaiec-jakarta.
English Departement.
Sekolah Tinggi Bahasa Asing IEC Jakarta Budi Rachmawati rachmawati@stiemp.
Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Mulya Pratama Sutrisno.
Risa.
and Rachmawati.
The Implicature Analysis of AuShe Used to Be MineAy and AuBraveAy Songs by Sara Bareilles.
Journal of English Language and literature, 10.
, doi: 10.
37110/jell.
Received: 05-04-2025 Accepted: 21-07-2025 Published: 02-09-2025 Abstract: This study investigates the role of implicature in shaping the interpretation and emotional impact of song lyrics, with a focus on Sara BareillesAo "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave".
The objectives are threefold: .
to examine how implicature contributes to lyrical meaning and emotional resonance, .
to identify instances of implicature within the lyrics, and .
to analyze the relationship between linguistic expression and thematic message.
Adopting a qualitative research design and a content analysis approach, the study draws on two primary theoretical references: Analyzing Meaning: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics (Textbooks in Language Sciences .
for implicature characterization, and GriceAos Logic and Conversation as the principal framework for categorizing implicatures.
The analysis identifies four types of implicatureAiConventional Implicature (CI).
Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI).
Particularized Conversational Implicature (PCI), and Scalar Implicature (SI)Aipresent in both songs.
Findings reveal that "She Used to Be Mine" predominantly employs Conventional Implicature .
%) and Scalar Implicature .
%), aligning with its introspective and reflective tone.
In contrast, "Brave" relies more heavily on Generalized Conversational Implicature .
%) and Particularized Conversational Implicature .
%), reinforcing its motivational and empowering message.
These results highlight the nuanced role of implicature in shaping both the interpretive depth and emotional impact of musical discourse.
Keywords: Implicature, conversational implicature, conventional implicature, song lyrics INTRODUCTION With the continuous advancement of technology, the channels and modes of communication have expanded significantly.
As noted by Adler and Rodman .
, communication is defined as Authe process of creating and exchanging meaning through verbal and nonverbal messages.
Ay Modern society now offers a wide range of tools for individuals to articulate their ideas, opinions, thoughts, and concepts.
Among these, songs hold a distinctive position as a medium through which composers, performers, and audiences can converge in shared emotional experiences.
Beyond their artistic appeal, songs frequently serve as a mirror of cultural values, societal issues, and personal sentiments.
Consequently.
Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies examining the deeper layers of meaning in essentialAi particularly in relation to the concept of implicature, which forms the core focus of this significantly from the literal interpretation, posing greater interpretive challenges for the The urgency of researching this topic lies in the growing importance of music as a vehicle for cultural expression and emotional communication in society.
Music is often a primary means of understanding individual and collective experiences, especially in an era where audiences are increasingly seeking to connect with songs that reflect personal struggles and triumphs.
Bareilles' songs, which aim to universal themes such as identity, vulnerability, and courage, resonate deeply with audiences around the world.
However, to fully appreciate and interpret the messages embedded in her lyrics, it is essential to understand how implicature functions in her songwriting.
Sterelny .
2: 192Ae.
pointed out, knowledge of the particular speaker the artist in this case is often more important than knowledge of non-universal generalizations.
the case of Bareilles, understanding her unique linguistic strategies and how she subtly conveys complex emotions through implicature allows for a richer and more shaded interpretation of her music.
Furthermore, in the broader context of music and linguistic studies, exploring implicature in contemporary pop songs is an emerging area of research.
As music continues to evolve, the ways in which artists convey meaning have become more intricate and By examining how Bareilles employs implicature in these two iconic songs, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how meaning is constructed in modern This is particularly significant as it can inform not only music analysis but also the way audiences unite with and interpret lyrics.
As music continues to shape cultural discourse, investigating these subtle layers of meaning is essential to fostering a deeper connection between artists and audiences.
Implicature practices are often shaped by daily conversation, issues can arise when the conversation is not going smoothly, a misunderstanding occurs.
It is related to Auhow language functions in maintaining and changing power relations in contemporary society, about ways of analyzing language which can reveal these processes, and about how people can become more conscious of them, and more able to resist and change themAy (Norman Fairclough.
2013, p.
Paul Grice .
, a seminal figure in the field of linguistics, conceptualized implicature as a key component of pragmatics concerned with meanings conveyed indirectlyAithose which are neither explicitly articulated nor strictly entailed by an utterance.
According to Grice .
, implicature represents the speakerAos intended meaning, frequently communicated implicitly rather than overtly interpretation on the part of the listener.
Grice distinguished four principal types of Conventional implicature is independent of context, as its meaning is embedded within the linguistic form itself, enabling the audience to readily infer the intended message.
Generalized conversational implicature involves meanings that, while not explicitly stated, can generally be inferred with minimal contextual information.
Scalar implicature also depends on context but is intrinsically linked to a lexical or conceptual scaleAisuch as degrees, quantities, or frequenciesAirequiring the listener to recognize the relevant scale to fully grasp the implied Lastly, particularized conversational implicature is highly context-dependent, necessitating a detailed understanding of the specific communicative situation.
In this case, the intended meaning often diverges .
Conversational Implicature Theory exclusively within the context of ESP listening instruction, noting that JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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php/jell future research could incorporate a broader range of pragmatic frameworks.
Addressing this gap, the present study extends the scope of analysis beyond conversational implicature to include conventional implicature, thereby offering a more comprehensive examination of implied meaning.
Further insights into potential research gaps are provided by Jaya et al.
who suggest that subsequent studies should prioritize direct data collection through field interviews with speakers to ensure that the findings reflect authentic realities rather than secondary perceptions.
Similarly.
Sofyan et al.
highlight that previous investigations into speech level usageAiparticularly in teacher-student interactionsAiremain open to further exploration.
They emphasize the need for research that examines the contextual application of speech levels and their pedagogical implications, as well as the potential of adopting a socio-pragmatic perspective to enrich the analysis.
integrating these identified gaps, the present research aims to contribute not only to the theoretical development of implicature studies but also to the broader understanding of communicative and educational contexts.
explore the interrelationship between linguistic form and the expressive dimensions of the Implicature Implicature is anything that inferred utterances which is not the truth conditions.
When people talk to each other it can be not the real meaning.
Brown and Yule .
delivered that Authe term of implicature is used by Grice to account for what a speaker literally saysAy.
Furthermore.
Grice as quoted by Levinson .
explained that Authe term of implicature is a general cover term to stand in contrast to what is said or expressed by the truth condition of expression and to conclude all kind of pragmatic .
on-truth conditiona.
inference discernibleAy.
Grice also explained in Grundy .
that how is it possible that the same sentence is understood to have two opposing meanings even though both are conveyed This is the basis of Grice's thinking.
Furthermore.
Grice made the following example A: Are you working this afternoon? B: I'm going back to the office.
From the examples presented, it can be seen how to distinguish between what someone says and what the person means.
It is known that 'context' is very important in determining what someone means when someone says something.
To further understand the implied meaning or intended meaning in a speech, a study is needed based on implicature theory.
The concept of to solve the problems of linguistic meaning that cannot be solved by ordinary semantic theory.
This study represents an innovative application of implicature theory to the analysis of meaning construction and emotional resonance embedded within the lyrics of Sara Bareilles.
It further incorporates a comparative dimension, examining the implicatures present in She Used to Be Mine and Brave to elucidate potential similarities and divergences in BareillesAo use of implicature across these works.
By doing so, the research not only deepens the understanding of linguistic phenomena in song lyrics but also offers valuable contributions to the broader theoretical discourse in pragmatics and semantics.
Specifically, the study seeks to:
examine the role of implicature in shaping the interpretive and affective dimensions of the .
identify and categorize instances of implicature within the lyrical content.
GriceAos theory of conversational implicature posits that speakers, in principle, intend to cooperate in communication.
This framework offers a means of interpreting aspects of meaning that cannot be adequately addressed by semantic theory alone.
In this regard.
Levinson .
highlights four key contributions of implicature theory: .
it provides a functional explanation for linguistic phenomena that fall beyond the scope of structural linguistic theory.
Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies .
it explicitly distinguishes between the literal content of an utterance and the intended meaning, which is nevertheless accessible to language users.
it facilitates a more economical semantic description of the relationships between clauses linked by different conjunctions.
it accounts for various linguistic phenomena that may superficially appear unrelated or even contradictory, but which are, in fact, systematically connected.
further subdivides conversational implicature into generalized and particularized types.
The distinction between conversational and conventional implicatures is illustrated by constructions such as Anna is rich but she is Here, the truth conditions align with those of the coordination Anna is rich and she is happy, except for the contrastive nuance introduced by but.
This contrastive meaning is neither truth-functional nor context-dependent, thereby providing justification for the categorization of conventional implicature (Meibauer, 2009, p.
A more focused explanation is as follows:
Leech .
3, p.
asserts that implicature serves as a strategic device to render utterances more polite, as direct statements may often be perceived as less courteous.
Consequently, interlocutors addressing a second person tend to employ implicit forms of expression.
In a similar vein.
Gazdar .
9, p.
defines implicature as a proposition implied by the utterance of a sentence within a given context, even though such a proposition is neither explicitly stated nor entailed by the literal meaning of the utterance.
This perspective underscores that implicature emerges from an interaction between contextual interpretation and the speakerAos intended inference, and may operate in either context-dependent or contextindependent forms.
As Mey .
1, p.
notes, the term itself is derived from the verb Building on this.
Grice delineates two principal types of implicatureAiconversational and conventionalAiin his seminal work.
Broadly speaking, implicatures encompass communicative exchanges, thereby positioning them as a central focus within the domain of Conventional Implicature Conventional implicature is tied to specific linguistic expressions or constructions and is part of the conventional meaning of those A conventional implicature is a non-truth- conditional inference which is not deductive in any general, natural way from the saying of what is said, but arises solely because of the conventional features attached to particular lexical items and/or linguistic constructions (Huang, 2007:.
The most commonly cited example of a Gricean conventional implicature is the conjunction but, as in .
, which entails logical conjunction and carries the additional conventional implicature of contrast between the two conjuncts.
She is smart but lazy.
CI: there is some contrast between being smart and being lazy.
Types of Implicature Kroeger .
, drawing on GriceAos theory, identifies two primary types of implicature:
conventional implicature and conversational Both arise from the speakerAos intended meaning, encompassing not only the explicit utterance but also the implied message, and can be interpreted through either conventional or conversational means.
Grice She is smart and lazy.
She is smart and lazy Ae #not that there is any contrast between being smart and Grice .
9, p.
characterizes conventional implicatures as instances in which Authe conventional meaning of the words used will determine what is implicated, in addition to contributing to what is explicitly stated.
Ay He illustrates this with examples such as the conjunction but and the adverb therefore.
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php/jell noted by Levinson .
3, p.
, the conjunction but yields the same truthconditional value as and within a sentence.
however, unlike and, it carries an additional conventional implicature, specifically signaling a contrast between the two coordinated Generalized Implicature Conversational Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI) refers to an implied meaning that can be interpreted without reliance on specific contextual information.
Levinson .
characterizes GCI as arising independently of particular contextual features.
As a subtype of conversational implicature.
GCI emerges in discourse when a speakerAos utterance conveys an additional meaning that is inferred in a default manner, without the need for specialized background knowledge or elaborate contextual In essence, its interpretation is conventions rather than context-specific cues.
Conversational Implicature The present study examines the dialogues within the scriptAos lyrics through the lens of GriceAos theory of conversational implicature in According to Kroeger .
, this type of inference is not contingent upon specific contextual features but is instead generally linked to the nature of the proposition For instance, an utterance such as AuThe weather is nice todayAy during a picnic may carry the implicature of inviting others to Unlike implicature, which conveys a fixed meaning derived from a particular lexical item, conversational implicature is not inherently bound to any linguistic expression (Grundy, as cited in Victory, 2.
Rather, it emerges through the process of inference when an utterance is interpreted within its situational Generalized Conversational Implicature emerges within discourse and is inferred through broadly applicable conversational maxims and principles, rather than being dependent on highly specific contextual cues or specialized background knowledge.
Such implicatures are derived from the general structure of communication itself.
For example, when a speaker states.
AuSheAos not here,Ay the likely generalized inference is that the referent is absent from the immediate setting.
According to GriceAos framework, these implicatures can be systematically deduced from both the content of the utterance and its manner of delivery, under the assumption that the speaker adheres to the Cooperative Principle and its associated conversational maxims.
According to Grice .
5:49Ae.
, a speaker who, in uttering .
r appearing to utte.
proposition p, thereby implies proposition q, can be said to have generated a conversational implicature of q, provided that the following conditions are met: .
the speaker is presumed to be adhering to the conversational maxims, or at least to the overarching Cooperative Principle.
it is necessary to suppose that the speaker is aware of, or believes, q in order to render their utterance of p .
r its particular formulatio.
consistent with this presumption.
the speaker believesAiand expects the hearer to believe that the speaker believesAithat the hearer possesses the capacity to infer, or intuitively grasp, that the supposition outlined in .
is required.
Grice further distinguishes two principal types of conversational Sadock .
8: .
noted another useful diagnostic property, namely that conversational implicatures are reinforceable.
He used this term to indicate that the implicature can be explicitly expressed without resulting in an awkward or unnecessary repetition.
Scale implicature was another topic that needed to be covered while talking about generalized conversational implicature.
Scalar implicature refers to a variety of additional generalized conversational implications that are discussed on a scale of values.
Scalar Implicature is the special type of generalized Implicature.
Scalar Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies implicature is expressed the quantity such as.
all, most, some, few, always, often and sometimes (Yule, 1.
A speaker chooses the most instructive word from the scale while making an utterance.
Primary sources are essential for obtaining critical insights and providing detailed information that directly aligns with the central focus of the study.
Serving as the most direct and unfiltered means of accessing authentic data, they are indispensable for comprehending the key dimensions of the research topic.
In this study, the primary data is drawn from the lyrics of Sara BareillesAos songs, specifically She Used to Be Mine and Brave.
The selection of these works is based on their thematic relevance to the studyAos investigation of implicature.
Particularized Conversational Implicature Yule .
argued that particularized conversational implicature is a type in which the interlocutor indirectly requires more assistance to understand the meaning of a conversation because the context used in this type is not of a general nature.
According to Kroeger .
cited on GriceAos theory.
Particularized Conversational Implicature is meaning that the intended inference depends on particular features of the specific context of the utterance.
This is typically a conversational implicature that can only be derived in a specific context.
This suggests that the meaning conveyed in the conversation is unique and needs a particular context to be fully grasped.
Secondary sources, by contrast, encompass data previously collected, analyzed, and interpreted by other researchers.
Such materials are used to extend, contextualize, and substantiate the primary analysis.
They may take various forms, including scholarly books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and reputable online publications.
In this research, secondary sourcesAiparticularly academic books and journal articlesAiwere employed to enhance the depth and credibility of the analysis.
METHOD
The researcher utilizes a content analysis approach that aims to describe implicatures applied in lyrics "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave" by Sarah BareillesAo songs.
That is done by defining it in the form of outlining the process of recognizing the function of Meanwhile, the techniques used for data collection are reading, listening, and analyzing comprehensively the lyrics and data note-keeping.
The data description then goes through three phases, namely the preparation phase where the data is taken and selected, the organizing phase where the data is grouped into the category, resulting in the analyzing process and the results where the analysis process and conclusion making are carried out (Elo and Kyngas, 2.
To avoid misinterpretation, the researcher tries to explain the definitions of the key terms below according to their expectative meaning and context.
Qualitative research methods provide an effective means of data collection, prioritizing in-depth understanding and often focusing on the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals or groups.
In order to offer comprehensive explanations and examine the use of implicature within discourse, this study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach.
Given its qualitative design, the studyAos findings are closely linked to linguistic phenomena, particularly the types of implicature employed by students in the English Education Study Program during informal conversations.
Documenting qualitative analysis as a process is essential, primarily to facilitate deeper learning and methodological refinement.
clearer understanding of the analytical process enables researchers to reflect, enhance their approaches, and render them more applicable for broader use by others (Miles & Huberman.
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS Findings The conceptual foundation of this research is anchored in its primary source material.
This study aims to investigate the use of JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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php/jell implicature in Sara BareillesAo songs AuShe Used to Be MineAy and AuBraveAy through the lens of GriceAos theory.
The analysis will explore both conversational and conventional implicatures embedded within the lyrics.
Building on SbisyAos .
theoretical examination of explicating implicit meaningAiwhich also provides a framework for distinguishing between implicature and presuppositionAithis research will identify and analyze key lyrical moments where implicature functions to convey nuanced meanings that extend beyond the literal interpretation of the text.
Sara Bareilles song According to Kroeger .
, based on GriceAos theory: conventional implicature .
Previously discussed, that conversational implicature has subclass, there are mentioning below in .
, .
, .
The types of implicatures found in the lyrics of AuShe Used to Be MineAy and AuBraveAy by Sara Bareilles song are analyzed in the following table (Table 4.
1 and Table 4.
Each table analyzes four types of Implicature.
They are .
Conventional Implicature (CI).
Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI).
Particularized Conversational Implicature (PCI).
Scalar Implicature (SI).
The types of implicatures found in the lyrics of AuShe Used to Be MineAy and AuBraveAy by Table 1 "She Used to Be Mine" Song Lyric
Types of Implicature Data
It's not simple to say
Most days I don't recognize me
That these shoes and this apron
That place and its patrons Oo
Have taken more than I gave them Oo
It's not easy to know
Although it's true
I was never attention's sweet
I still remember that girl
She's imperfect but she tries Oo
She is good but she lies Oo
She is hard on herself
She is broken and won't ask for Oo
She is messy but she's kind
She is lonely most of the time
She is all of this mixed up GCI
PCI
Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies And baked in a beautiful pie Oo She is gone but she used to be Oo It's not what I asked for Sometimes life just slips in through a back door Oo Oo Frequency Table 1 demonstrates that all categories of implicatures are present in the data extracted from the script lyric in AuShe Used to be MineAy by Sara Bareilles.
When considering the frequency of each type, it is evident that all categories of implicatures appear in the source According to the data, the most common type is the conventional implicature and generalized conversational implicature, which appear 7 times each type out of the total 20 instances.
Following that type is the particularized conversational implicature and scalar implicature, which arise 3 times each Table 2 "Brave" Song Lyric Data Types of Implicature GCI You can be amazing Oo You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug Oo Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do Kept on the inside and no sunlight Sometimes a shadow wins Say what you wanna say And let the words fall out Honestly.
I wanna see you be brave Oo Fallen for the fear Oo And done some disappearing Oo Don't run, stop holding your tongue Oo Maybe one of these days you can let the light in Show me how big your brave is And since your history of silence Won't do you any good Did you think it would? PCI Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo Oo JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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php/jell Oo Oo Frequency Table 2 shows that the data is taken from the lyric of Sara Bareilles' "Brave" has implicatures in every category.
It is clear that all kinds of implicatures are present in the source material when taking into account the frequency of each The data indicates that the generalized conversational implicature is the most prevalent type, occurring 9 times out of 18 instances.
The conversational type which appears 5 times.
The last common type is the conventional implicature and the scalar implicature which reveal 2 times for each type.
"but" signals a contrast between "imperfect" and "tries.
" The conventional implicature here is that despite her imperfections, she makes an "She is good but she lies" Again, "but" indicates a contrast between being "good" and "lies.
" The conventional implicature is that she has positive qualities, even though she is dishonest at times.
"She is broken and won't ask for help" The conjunction "and" connects the two clauses, suggesting that her brokenness is connected to her unwillingness to seek help.
The implicature is that her emotional or mental state is intertwined with her reluctance to reach "She is messy but she's kind" The word "but" once more contrasts "messy" with "kind.
The conventional implicature is that despite her disorganization or chaos, she has a kind "She is gone but she used to be mine" The word "but" contrasts her absence with the fact that she was once an important part of the narrator's life.
The implicature is that the narrator still feels a connection or loss despite her absence.
The word "but" signals a contrast between "imperfect" and "tries.
" The conventional implicature here is that despite her imperfections, she makes an effort.
Conventional Implicature in AuShe Used to Be MineAy Song Lyrics According to Huang .
7: .
, a conventional implicature is a non-truthconditional inference which is not deductive in any general, natural way from the saying of what is said, but arises solely because of the conventional features attached to particular lexical items and/or linguistic constructions.
The following are part of lyrics of AuShe Used to Be MineAy.
She is imperfect but she tries She is good but she lies .
Conversational Implicature in AuShe She is broken and won't ask for help She is messy but she's kind Used to Be MineAy Song Lyrics Referring to the theoretical framework, researcher will discuss in specific kind of conversational implicatures.
As the following details, showing the description and data found for generalized conversational implicature, particularized conversational implicature, scalar implicature.
She is gone but she used to be mine These lines are script lyric from the song "She Used to Be Mine" by Sara Bareilles, and they beautifully illustrate conventional Conventional implicature appears from the conventional meaning of words and phrases, rather than the specific context of the .
Generalized Thus, the phrase "It's not simple to say" likely contains a Generalized Conversational "She is imperfect but she tries" The word Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies narratorAos memories.
Implicature because it reflects a generalizable sentiment .
ifficulty in communicatio.
that most people can understand, but is not tied to any specific context other than the narratorAos personal experience.
The exact nature of what is difficult to say is left implicit, and the listener is encouraged to infer it from the larger context.
The expression "have taken more than I gave them" describes a personal encounter in which the narrator feels as though they have been taken advantage of or depleted after investing something .
erhaps time, energy, emotion, etc.
in a relationship or circumstance.
This phrase's "more" denotes an imbalance.
It's possible to interpret the statement "It's not easy to know" as a generalization that could be applied to everyone, not just the narrator.
alludes to a more general notion: that people generally struggle to grasp themselves or complex situations.
No particular background knowledge is necessary for the sentence to make sense.
Scalar implicature The sentences like "Most days I don't recognize me," "She is lonely most of the time," and "Sometimes life just slips in through a back door" can be interpreted as involving scalar The word choice like most and sometimes imply something about the other possible terms on the scale scalar implicature occurs when a narrator chooses a term from a scale of possibilities .
, "always," "often," "sometimes") and this choice implies something about the other possible terms on the The phrase "Although it's true" can be used in a variety of contexts.
The statement relates to any circumstance when a fact or truth is acknowledged yet there is a connotation that more should be taken into consideration or that the truth is not the complete story.
it is not dependent on any one specific case or incident.
Because of this, it is a generalized conversational implicature, meaning it can be applied to an extensive range of discourse .
Particularized .
Conventional Implicature in AuBraveAy Song Lyrics Kept on the inside and no sunlight Let your words be anything but empty These expressions have an inherent meaning that is understood regardless of the conventional implicatures.
The phrase "no sunlight" and "kept on the inside" carry The phrase "no sunlight" is a conventional expression associated with hiddenness, secrecy, or repression.
describes an image of something being kept in the dark.
The phrase "kept on the inside" is another conventional expression suggesting inwardness or concealment.
In this case, the expression "anything but empty" refers to something lacking meaning or sincerity, which is a fixed, conventional meaning for this word.
The phrase, "That these shoes and this apron" refers to objects that are part of the narratorAos representing the narratorAos role, identity, or daily life .
erhaps as someone who works in a certain setting, like a housewif.
The listener is meant to understand that the shoes and apron are not just simple items of clothing but represent something larger.
In this case "That place and its patrons" is a because its meaning is highly dependent on the specific context provided by the narratorAos The listener must infer the nature of the place and its patrons based on prior context or knowledge.
"That place and its patrons" can be something which recall the .
Conversational Implicature in AuBraveAy Song Lyrics Referring to the theoretical framework, researcher will discuss in specific kind of JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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As the following details, showing the description and data found for generalized conversational implicature.
Particularized conversational implicature.
Scalar Implicature.
Generalized has remained silent or has kept their truth to speak without fear of criticism, and the listener is supposed to understand that this encouragement is specifically for them.
The sentence "Maybe one of these days you can let the light in" is a particularized conversational implicature because its full meaning is dependent on the context in which it is said.
It carries a context-specific implication that would only be fully understood by the listener if they are aware of the emotional or relational situation being discussed.
The phrase "You can be amazing" implies that the listener has the potential to be amazing, suggesting they might not currently be amazing make it classified as generalized conversational This implication arises naturally from the phrase itself, rather than relying on a specific situational context .
hich would be necessary for particularized conversational The expression "And since your history of silence" alludes to a pattern or practice of silence that the individual has had in the past, implying that they have previously been quiet, restrained, or silent.
The narrator is probably making a remark about the individual's propensity to keep quiet, perhaps when they ought to have spoken The implication here is that the narrator is reflecting on a specific history of silence, which could be a personal trait or a response to particular situations.
The phrase AuYou can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drugAy implies that language .
r how someone uses word.
can have powerful effects, either harmful .
or beneficial .
This meaning arises naturally from the statement itself and does not require an unusual or highly particular context.
The narrator provides enough information but does not explicitly state how words can be used as a weapon or a drug, leaving the listener to infer that words can influence, heal, or harm.
"Did you think it would?" is not a general statement that can apply to many situations, itAos tied to a specific expectation or situation.
Without understanding the context in which the expectation was set, the listener might struggle to fully interpret the meaning of this phrase.
"Say what you wanna say" is a generalized conversational implicature because it implies encouragement or permission to speak freely, and this meaning is generally understood across different contexts without requiring a unique situation to derive the implicature.
However, it implicitly suggests that the narrator is encouraging honesty, openness, or expression without directly stating it.
Particularized The line "Why don't you tell them the truth?" is a particularized conversational implicature because its meaning depends on the specific context and the listener's understanding of the situation at hand.
The sentence assumes prior knowledge of the context in which the listener is not being truthful or needs to reveal the truth, making it a particularized implicature .
Scalar implicature The statement "Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do" implies that words cause more emotional pain than anything else .
r at least comparable to significant har.
This is an example of a scalar implicature, where "nothing" adops an extreme comparison In the context of the song, the phrase "let the words fall out" has a particular emotional Perhaps after a period of silence or repression, the narrator is urging the listener to speak up and let go of their inhibitions.
The statement implies that it's time for someone who Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies without explicitly listing all possible sources of use of implicatures between "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave" The phrase "Sometimes a shadow wins" creates a scalar implicature because it operates on a scale of frequency, where the choice of "sometimes" implies that stronger.
In this case, "sometimes" is a weaker term compared to "always", leading to an implicature that there are times when a shadow does not win.
The table 4 presents a comparative analysis of the use of implicatures in She Used to Be Mine and Brave by Sara Bareilles, highlighting the frequency of different implicature types and their impact on the songs' meanings.
It also examines how each song conveys its message through implicature.
The similarities and differences exist in the Table 3 Comparison of implicature in "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave" Category She Used to Be Mine Brave Explanation Types of Implicatures Present CI.
GCI.
PCI.
CI.
GCI.
PCI,
Both songs use all four types of implicatures.
Conventional Implicature (CI) 78% (Higher Usag.
22% (Lower Usag.
She Used to Be Mine relies more on fixed expressions and contrastive conjunctions .
, "She is imperfect but she tries").
Brave focuses more on open- ended, direct encouragement.
Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI) 44% (Lower Usag.
56% (Higher Usag.
Brave has more generalized messages that apply universally .
, "Say what you wanna say").
She Used to Be Mine is less of it.
Brave requires more specific context to interpret meanings .
, "Maybe one of these days you can let the light in").
Particularized Conversational Implicature (PCI) 38% (Lower Usag.
63% (Higher Usag.
Scalar Implicature (SI) 60% (Higher Usag.
40% (Lower Usag.
She Used to Be Mine frequently uses words implying degrees of meaning ("Most days I donAot recognize me"), while Brave is more direct.
The Emotional Theme Introspective.
Reflective Motivational.
Empowering She Used to Be Mine explores personal struggle and regret, while Brave focuses on self-expression and overcoming fear.
Discussions implicature, including both conventional and conversational implicatures, within the lyrics of both songs.
From the analyzed that has been done related with implicature occur in the script lyric, the researcher can conclude that each type of implicature is revealed in both songs as below detail.
The types of implicatures found in the lyrics of AuShe Used to Be MineAy and AuBraveAy by Sara Bareilles song The analysis of implicature in Sara Bareilles' songs "She Used to Be Mine" and AuBraveAy revealed notable use of Grice's theory of JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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php/jell Table 4 Summary of Implicature Frequency Types of Implicature Script Lyrics Conventional Generalized Particularized Brave Percentage She Used to Be Mine Data Frequency Scalar Both songs use all four types of implicatures identified in GriceAos theory: Conventional Implicature.
Generalized Conversational Implicature.
Particularized Conversational Implicature, and Scalar Implicature.
This implies that both songs use a multi-layered, intricate approach to meaning, with subtle inferences balancing out direct expressions to enable deeper interpretations of the lyrics.
contributes to a sense of universality and familiarity, thereby reinforcing the songAos overarching themes of self-awareness and internal conflict.
In contrast.
AuBraveAy exhibits a substantially lower occurrence of conventional implicature .
%), suggesting a lyrical style less dependent on formulaic expressions and more oriented toward contextual nuance and individualized interpretation.
Conventional Implicature Conversational Implicature Conventional implicature is intrinsically linked to specific lexical items such as but, yet, and, and even, which may convey additional layers of meaning beyond their literal semantic Unlike conversational implicature, this type is not governed by the principles or maxims of Pragmatics and does not require a interpretation (Yule, 1.
As illustrated in Table 4.
3, the song AuShe Used to Be MineAy demonstrates a predominant reliance on conventional implicature .
%), indicating frequent use of fixed, widely recognized expressions or constructions.
For instance, lines such as AuShe is imperfect but she triesAy and AuShe is good but she liesAy employ the conjunction but to signal contrastAian interpretation readily accessible in everyday discourse.
This pattern As discussed on above, there are subclass of conversational implicature.
Narrowly advise on the following points.
Generalized conversational The use of generalized conversational implicature is important in both songs.
This implies that "Brave" and "She Used to Be Mine" both express concepts that listeners can relate to on a universal level.
For instance, the line "It's not easy to know" in "She Used to Be Mine" refers to personal complexity or difficulty in a general, sympathetic way.
Similar to this, the line "Say what you wanna say" from "Brave" can be applied to any situation where speaking one's truth is encouraged.
Levinson .
0, p.
claims that generalized conversational implicatures appear Bejo Sutrisno.
Maya Risa & Budi Rachmawati An Analysis of Cultural Words using NababanAos Accuracy and GottliebAos Subtitling Strategies without the use of particular knowledge of specific context.
In line with this.
Fauziah .
argues that generalized conversational implicature is a type of conversational implicature that has an understandable meaning because it does not require particular knowledge when uttered.
Particularized These scalar expressions enrich the complexity of the song's emotional landscape, illustrating the narratorAos fluctuating state of In "Brave," the use of scalar implicature is less pronounced, showing that the emotional tone of the song is more definitive and less about varying emotional states.
The focus in "Brave" is more on taking action and embracing empowerment, rather than on the fluctuating emotional journey emphasized in "She Used to Be Mine.
"Brave" makes greater use of particularized conversational implicature .
%), reflecting the song's personalized message.
For example, lines like "Maybe one of these days you can let the light in" and "Why don't you tell them the truth?" are meant to be understood in a specific context, speaking directly to the listener's experience of vulnerability and personal These implicatures create a more intimate, situational message, urging listeners to reflect on their own lives.
In contrast, "She Used to Be Mine" applies particularized conversational implicature less frequently .
%), which means that the songAos lyrics are less context-dependent and more reflective of a universal emotional struggle.
Grundy .
states in the case of implicature, context helps us to determine what is conveyed implicitly but not explicitly stated by the speaker.
The lyrics tend to speak to more general experiences of loss and self-reflection.
The similarities and differences exist in the use of implicatures between "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave" The researcher found out several similarities and differences exist in the use of implicature between "She Used to Be Mine" and "Brave" as the following explanation:
The lyrics of both songs are full of implicit meanings because they use Conventional Implicature (CI).
Generalized Conversational Implicature (GCI).
Particularized Conversational Implicature (PCI), and Scalar Implicature (SI).
Conventional Implicature (CI) contributes to the implicit meanings in both songs by using fixed expressions and contrastive conjunctions like but and and to highlight opposing ideas.
For example, in She Used to Be Mine, the phrase "She is imperfect but she tries" implies that imperfection does not prevent effort, while in Brave, the phrase "Let your words be anything but empty" implies an inherent urge for genuine self-expression.
Scalar implicature Scalar Implicature is used more frequently in "She Used to Be Mine" .
%) than in "Brave" .
%).
In "She Used to Be Mine," phrases like AuMost days I donAot recognize meAy and AuShe is lonely most of the timeAy utilize terms like AumostAy and Ausometimes,Ay which introduce a scale of possibilities, implying varying degrees of emotional states or experiences.
This is in accordance with (Yule, 1.
scalar implicature is expressed the quantity such as.
all, most, some, few, always, often and sometimes.
When releasing an utterance, a speaker chooses the word from the scale, which is the most There are generally relatable Generalized Conversational Implicatures (GCI) in both songs that listeners can relate to universally.
For instance, phrases like "ItAos not easy to know" (She Used to Be Min.
and "Say what you wanna say" (Brav.
apply to large human experiences without requiring a specific context.
This is the same line with Martini .
The conversational implicature could possibly take place in daily conversation naturally.
Particularized Conversational Implicature JELL (Journal of English Language and literatur.
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php/jell (PCI) makes the lyrics more thought-provoking by requiring listeners to infer meaning based on In Brave, the line "Maybe one of these days you can let the light in" implies a scenario where someone has been grappling with silence or fear, offering a gentle nudge toward change.
Similarly, in (She Used to Be Min.
, the phrase "That place and its patrons" does not explicitly define the location or the people.
Yule .
argued that particularized conversational implicature is a type in which the interlocutor indirectly requires more assistance to understand the meaning of a conversation because the context used in this type is not of a general nature.
introspective tone, enabling listeners to draw nuanced inferences from context, tone, and narrator intention.
In contrast.
AuBraveAy employs a greater proportion of particularized generalized conversational implicature to encourage self-empowerment, fearlessness, and personal growth.
Through its motivational and forward-looking tone, the song uses implicature as a rhetorical device to inspire listeners to embrace authenticity, confront fear, and express their truths.
Overall, the differing patterns of implicature usage reflect the divergent communicative aims of the two works: AuShe Used to Be MineAy centers on personal introspection and the emotional challenges of self-discovery, whereas AuBraveAy prioritizes empowerment and proactive self-expression.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study reveal that all four types of implicature are present in the lyrics of AuShe Used to Be MineAy by Sara Bareilles.
Quantitative conventional implicature and generalized conversational implicature are the most frequently occurring types, each appearing seven times out of a total of twenty instances.
implicature and scalar implicature are less prevalent, each occurring three times.
REFERENCES