The "exaptation" of linguistic implicit strategies

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Psycholinguistics
• Neurolinguistics
• Semiotics
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Implicit communication strategies enhance persuasion.
• Linguistic implicits (content-based and responsibility-based) and non-linguistic implicits (images, sounds) are compared.
• Focus on presuppositions and topics as key linguistic implicits.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the semiotic comparison of linguistic and non-linguistic implicits.
• Propose an evolutionary model for the function of presuppositions and topics in language.
• Analyze the role of these implicits in persuasion, particularly in advertising and political propaganda.

Main Methods:

• Comparative semiotic analysis of implicit strategies.
• Review and synthesis of psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic experimental findings.
• Case study analysis of examples from commercial advertising and political propaganda.

Main Results:

• Presuppositions and topics may have initially evolved to reduce cognitive load for processing known information.
• These linguistic devices were subsequently exapted to manage processing of unknown or marginal information.
• Implicit strategies, including presuppositions and topics, can be leveraged to decrease thorough scrutiny of doubtful or contentious information.

Conclusions:

• The evolution of presuppositions and topics demonstrates a shift from cognitive efficiency for known information to strategic manipulation of information processing.
• Understanding these implicit mechanisms is crucial for analyzing persuasive communication in various contexts.
• The findings have implications for media literacy and critical analysis of persuasive content.