A Pragmatic Analysis and Use Strategies of Refusal from the Perspective of Cross-cultural Communication_英语论文

摘要

近年来，言语行为研究已经越来越受到语言学界关注，而“拒绝”作为使用频率居高不下的一种言语行为，其表达的使用的重要性可见一斑。由于语言体系不同、生活地域不同及社会文化背景不同等因素，在汉英跨文化交际时，以汉语或英语为母语的群体在实施“拒绝”这一行为时的表达和表现形式以及选择的策略的差异性也更加明显。因此，我们有必要学习如何在跨文化交际过程中提高恰当拒绝的跨文化交际意识并恰当地利用跨文化交际策略克服跨文化交际摩擦，在保证在成功拒绝的同时也要维护好双方的面子。

本文立足于跨文化交际理论，在礼貌原则和面子理论的辅助下，以汉英为母语的群体为研究主体，对比双方拒绝言语异同，总结影响拒绝用语的使用的跨文化交际的因素。其次根据影响因素，针对语用表达上的不规范或错误提出策略建议，目的是最大化地缓解矛盾和提高跨文化交际地有效性。最后，对全文的内容进行总结，并提出本文的不足之处。

关键词：拒绝言语行为 跨文化交际 语用分析 拒绝策略

Abstract

In the last decades, much attention is given to the study of speech acts in the linguistic field. As a speech act with a high frequency of use, the importance of the use of “refusal” is evident. In cross-cultural communication, due to the different language systems, regional environment, social and cultural backgrounds, the otherness of Chinese and English native speakers’ expressions, forms and the strategies of communication are also more obvious in the act of refusing. Therefore, it is necessary for us to improve our awareness of communication when using refusal in cross-cultural communication and understand how to properly use cross-cultural communication refusal strategies in overcoming of cross-cultural communication frictions. 

This paper is mainly based on the theory of cross-cultural communication and assisted by the Politeness Principle and Face-saving Theory. It compares the similarities and differences of refusal speech acts between Chinese and English native speakers and generalizes the factors affecting the use of refusal in cross-cultural communication. And then puts forward strategies according to the influencing factors on the nonstandard or errors in pragmatic expression to maximally resolve the contradictions and improve the effectiveness of cross-cultural communication. Finally, it summarizes the content of this paper and points out the shortcomings of this paper.

Key words: refusal speech act  cross-cultural communication  pragmatic analysis  refusal strategies

Contents

Chapter One Introduction 1

1.1 Research Background 1

1.2 Research Objectives and Significance 1

1.3 Data and Research Methodology 2

Chapter Two Literature Review 3

2.1 Introduction 3

2.2 Definitions of Refusal 3

2.3 Pragmatic Analysis and Use Strategies of Refusal 4

2.3.1 Previous Studies on Pragmatic Analysis and Use Strategies of Refusal Abroad 5

2.3.2 Previous Studies on Pragmatic Analysis and Use Strategies of Refusal at Home 5

Chapter Three  Theoretical Framework 7

3.1 Introduction 7

3.2 Cross-cultural Communication 7

3.3 Politeness Principle 8

3.4 Face-saving Theory 9

Chapter Four  A Pragmatic Analysis of Refusal in Cross-cultural Communication 10

4.1 Introduction 10

4.2  The similarities of Refusal in Cross-cultural Communication 10

4.2.1 Using the same refusal expressions 10

4.2.2 Following the Politeness Principle and Face Theory 11

4.3  The differences of Refusal in Cross-cultural Communication 13

4.3.1 Modes 13

4.3.2 Strategies 14

4.3.3 The degree of rejection varies according to the status 16

4.4 Cross-cultural Communication Factors Influencing the Usage of Refusal 18

4.4.1 Experiential-cultural Equivalence 18

4.4.2 High-context Culture and Low-context Culture 19

4.4.3 Cultural Vacancy 19

4.4.4 Pragmatic Transfer 20

Chapter Five  Strategies of Refusal in Cross-cultural Communication 22

5.1  Introduction 22

5.2  Direct and indirect refusal 22

5.3  Adaptation to local condition 23

5.4  Pragmatic and non-verbal strategies 24

5.5  Cultivating Cross-cultural Awareness and Meta-pragmatic Awareness 26

Chapter Six  Conclusion 27

6.1 Major Findings 27

6.2 Limitations and Suggestions for Future Study 27

Bibliography

Acknowledgements