ABSTRACT
Hence, a fundamental problem for language researchers is to understand exactly how speakers are able to convey, and hearers are able to interpret, indirect meanings. Although there is some debate about the status of literal (or direct) versus nonliteral (or indirect) meaning (e.g., Dascal, 1987; Gibbs, 1984), most researchers agree the distinction is an important and valid one. The debate over literal versus nonliteral meaning really boils down to considerations of cognitive processing, research that will be discussed in detail in this paper.
