This is straight from the Buddhist Monastic Code I (page 237):D1W1 wrote:[...]
For the layman and according to the text written and compiled by Ñanavara Thera, it seems the four conditions mentioned need to be there. However, I'll have to look it up to make sure. This is not the case for the Vinaya rule, although, all monks still have precepts. I checked the other rules regarding lying (Pr 4, Sg 8 or 9, Pc 13, 24, and 76) and none of them require the factor of result.1. A deliberate lie is to be confessed.
[...]
A deliberate lie is a statement or gesture made with the aim of misrepresenting the truth to someone else. The K/Commentary, summarizing the long “wheels” in the Vibhaṇga, states that a violation of this rule requires two factors:
1) Intention: the aim to misrepresent the truth; and
2) Effort: the effort to make another individual know whatever one wants to
communicate based on that aim.
[...]
Result is not a factor under this rule. Thus whether anyone understands the lie or is deceived by it is irrelevant to the offense.
Regarding the cat or the person not speaking the same language as you, by Vinaya standards, that would be a breach of the rule, although the Pāli would need to be looked over to see if an animal counts as an individual and if such a passage is present (it is a good guess talking to inanimate objects wouldn't be). For the precept, it would be unwholesome kamma, but like mentioned above, to know if it breaks the precept would need a confirmation regarding the different factors needing to be present.