The Ethics Of Authority In Global Professional Settings: Analyzing Power Relations And Implicature In Institutional Discourse

Abstract

The present study focuses on the role of conversational implicature in indirect speech within the setting of workplace ethics and social economic inequalities. The study is based on a qualitative descriptive methodology that relies on Grice's Cooperative Principle. The data for analysis are taken from the film 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006). Based on the analysis, individuals occupying high status positions tend to use indirect speech by violating the rules of quantity, quality, and relevance in order to give instructions, make evaluations, and control others without disclosing their motives explicitly. Meanwhile, subordinates interpret these implications thanks to their awareness of the hierarchy in the organization. Thus, it becomes possible to communicate efficiently despite the absence of any explicit meanings. Overall, the study reveals that conversational implicature can be viewed as a technique of indirect speech used as an instrument of power negotiations. The study also underlines the importance of implicit meanings rather than explicit utterances for the expression of authority. To conclude, this study highlights the importance of promoting equitable communication practices in international organizations. Thus, this study can contribute to further discussion on social sustainability and workplace inclusivity.