contextual assumptions

There's a nice example in the film Made in Dagenham which can be used to illustrate misunderstanding based on a mismatch between a hearer's contextual assumptions and a speaker's expectations about them. Rita (played by Sally Hawkins) is talking to Lisa (playe by Rosamund Pike). Rita is a factory worker and Lisa is Rita's boss's wife (this is from memory so might not be exactly right):

Rita: That's a lovely dress.

Lisa: Thanks. It's from Biba.

Rita: It's still nice, though.

That's the dress Sally Hawkins is wearing on the poster.

 

Billy