Abstract
White lies penetrate every corner in interpersonal communications. This paper, based on the Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory, tends to analyze the adaptability of white lies in interpersonal communications. This study shows that speakers adopt white lies and use them in a dynamic way to adapt to the three contextual correlates namely physical world, mental world and social world. It is also found out that different degrees of salience of the speakers are reflected in the adaptation process.
Key Words: white lies, Adaptation Theory, context, dynamics of adaptation, salience
Contents
1. Introduction1
2. Demonstration-1
2.1    Definition of white lies-1
2.2Adaptation Theory-2
2.3 Analysis of white lies from the perspective of adaptation theory-3
2.3.1Contextual correlates of adaptability in white lies-3
2.3.1.1 Adaptation to physical world3
2.3.1.2 Adaptation to social world-4
2.3.1.3 Adaptation to mental world5
2.3.2Dynamics of adaptability in white lies6
2.3.2.1Adaptation to various objects6
2.3.2.2Adaptation to various discourse purposes7
2.3.3Salience of the adaptation process in white lies8
Conclusion9
Works cited-11
Bibliography-12