Manipulation Through Maxim Violations: A Pragmatic Analysis of the Korean Drama Doubt

Abstract

Research on maxim violations and linguistic manipulation remains limited, particularly regarding how such violations function as tools of influence. This study examines the role of maxim violations as manipulation strategies in the Korean drama Doubt. Data were collected from character dialogues and analyzed qualitatively through non-participatory observation and descriptive analysis. The study identified 41 utterances containing 86 maxim violations. Violations of the maxim of quality were the most frequent, followed by those of relevance, manner, and quantity. Quality violations influenced hearers to accept the speaker’s intentions through misleading statements, while relevance violations created uncertainty and redirected focus. Manner violations employed ambiguity to evoke empathy or guilt, and quantity violations, though less frequent, reinforced or undermined beliefs through excessive or limited information. Overall, the findings suggest that maxim violations function as effective linguistic strategies for manipulation, enabling speakers to subtly influence or control hearers within specific social and emotional contexts.