énonciataire

An énonciataire is a concept in linguistics and semiotics referring to the intended recipient of a message or utterance. It is distinct from the actual listener or reader who may or may not be the intended audience. The énonciataire is a theoretical construct that helps analyze how a speaker or writer shapes their discourse to appeal to a particular audience. Understanding the énonciataire helps in deciphering the speaker's intentions, assumptions about the audience's knowledge, and the overall persuasive or communicative strategy employed.

The concept of the énonciataire is particularly important in the study of rhetoric and pragmatics. It allows for an examination of how language is used to construct a specific relationship between the communicator and the audience. For example, a political speech is designed for a specific electorate, and its language, tone, and arguments are tailored to that intended énonciataire. Similarly, an advertisement targets a particular demographic, and its message is framed to resonate with that group.

In some theoretical frameworks, the énonciataire can be further differentiated into various roles or levels. For instance, there might be an immediate énonciataire (the person directly addressed) and a broader, implied énonciataire (the wider audience the message is meant to reach). The recognition of the énonciataire influences the choice of vocabulary, grammatical structures, and the overall coherence and effectiveness of the communication. It highlights that communication is not merely the transmission of information but a socially and contextually situated act.