'The lady doth protest too much, methinks': Truth negating implications and effects of an epistemic frame trap. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nao, Marion
• Is Part Of: Language & communication. Volume 73(2020)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Frames -- Framing -- Framing potential -- Frame trap -- Double bind -- Epistemic injustice; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Communication -- Périodiques; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Communication; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langcom.2020.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0271-5309

Abstract

Abstract: The paper theoretically examines the epistemic implications of the frame trap cued by the conversational use of the Shakespearean quote 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks', in which protestation of innocence is taken as evidence of guilt, as is its absence. The mechanism of frame trap is found to operate by recursive truth negation in the case of ongoing protestation (in keeping with the conversationally expected denial of false attribution) or its pre-emption in anticipation of further striction along with resistance. Problematically, both the implications and paradoxical effects of the expression thereby 'evidence' the guilt of its recipient. Highlights: The expression is an epistemic frame trap that negates the truth of its recipient. Paradoxically, they are guilty of untruth whether or not they protest in response. This is underpinned by a conversational expectation of denial of false attribution. It is operative through a conversational mechanism of recursive truth negation. Core to its operation is the habitually unexamined concept of excess as untruth.