Pragmatic study

This study examines conversational implicature in three Nollywood films Lionheart (2018), The Wedding Party (2016), and King of Boys (2018) focusing on how dialogue conveys implied meaning and reflects Nigerian cultural values. Using a qualitative approach and Grice’s Cooperative Principle as an analytical framework, the research identifies instances where characters flout the maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner. The study highlights the role of linguistic elements such as proverbs, code-switching, innuendo, idioms, and humor in creating and interpreting conversational implicatures. Findings reveal how indirect speech shapes character development, advances plot progression, and reinforces thematic concerns, including hierarchy, social negotiation, and interpersonal relationships. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of pragmatic meaning in Nollywood cinema and demonstrates how Nigerian filmmakers employ dialogue to communicate cultural, social, and narrative significance.