Mutual knowledge and the psychology of conversational inference

Abstract

This paper examines the role of mutual knowledge in a psychological theory of conversational inference. Contrary to recent proposals, I argue that speakers and listeners must coordinate what they mutually know in order to comprehend utterances. Mutual knowledge is not only a result of comprehension, but it is a prerequisite for it as well. I review recent arguments on this issue and outline why mutual knowledge is necessary for listeners to draw the right inferences from what is said in conversation. This is especially important if a theory of conversational inference is to meet the criteria of a psychologically real model of human languange behavior.