Misunderstanding: The standard case

Starting from an overview of the multiple cases of misunderstanding dealt w ith in the literature, the question arises whether there is a type of misun derstanding which can be called the standard case. Referring to a model of dialogic action games the standard case can be defined by some constitutive features. On the basis of an explanation of understanding, the standard ca se of misunderstanding is investigated in more detail by distinguishing two subtypes: misunderstanding the means and misunderstanding the purposes. Fr om such an analysis of the standard case important consequences can be draw n for the general principles of language use. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.