INSTANCES OF VIOLATION AND FLOUTING OF THE MAXIM BY GADDAFIINTERVIEW DURING THE ARAB SPRING

Abstract

Theoretically, in communication, people usually apply the cooperative principle that
consists of four maxims of conversational maxims for several reasons in several contexts.
Speakers obey these maxims in order to have an effective communication without any
miscommunication. Flouting the maxims is situation wherein the speakers cause
misunderstanding on their participants’ part or to achieve some other purposes in conversation.
Qualitative content analysis study was carried to identify and analyze the process of flouting of
Grice’s maxim and to explain the causes why the Arab leader Gaddafi does violation of maxim
during the Arab spring. The analysis of the maxims of the Arab leader speech reveals that the
four maxims are flouted by the leader by playing upon words, talking too much, talking too
short, changing the topic, and lying. The main reason of flouting the maxims to convey meanings
in his favor and it also shows how the Arab leaders color the choices to produce particular shades
of meanings which are not always conceivable to all readers in order to gain the support from the
masses.