语用学

Contrastive Study of the First Person Deixis in English and ChineseAbstract: Person deixis concerns the encoding of the role of participants in the speech Event in which the utterance in question is delivered. And they are widely used in English and Chinese. This thesis through the contrastive study on the pragmatic function of the first person in English and Chinese, similarities and differences in the first person deixis use between the two language can be analyzed. Key words: person deixis, the first person deixis, pragmatic meaning, contrastive analysis摘要: 人称指示是指说话者在言语活动中解码言语信息. 人称指示在英汉两种语言中都有着较高的使用频率.本文通过对英汉第一人称指示语的语用功能对比分析, 发掘英汉两种语言第一人称指示方面的异同点.关键词: 人称指示语第一人称指示语语用意义英汉对比1.InductionDeixis are those words in a language that entirely depend on text(Fromkin et.al.1991). Deixis is the earliest research object of pragmatic, because it directly links to language structure and context. Therefore, people think deixis plays a crucial role in language expression and understanding. Traditionally, deixis were divided into three categories-referring to people, place and time. By the 1980‟s, two more categories had been added-discourse and social deixis (Levinson,1983). In addition to discourse deixis, the different types of deixis can express interpersonal meaning, and actualize a certain communicative function. Both time and place deixis can transfer deictic center to the addressee, which express the respect to the hearer. Social deixis attach great importance on the function of interpersonal meaning.This thesis focuses on the social and Pragmatic meanings of English and Chinese deixis.Through the contrastive study on the Pragmatic functions of Person deixis in English and Chinese, similarities and differenees in the Person deixis use Between the two languages can be analyzed.2.Person Deixis in EnglishPerson deixis is an important component of pragmatics. With reference to the addresser, the addressee and the third party involved in a conversation, person deixis indicate the social status, interpersonal relationship and other factors of the conversation parties.2.1 The first Person deixisThe first person is an item that is used to refer to the addresser of an utterance or the sender of the message. The first Person deictic items have both the singular and Plural forms, i.e.I and we, and eaeh form has variations in case, i.e.me vs. us for the objective case and my vs.our for the Possessive case.2.1.1 The first Person singular form IThe first Person singular, which will be used in both formal and informal Linguistic styles, refers to the sender of a message. The reference of the first Person Singular is clear and specified.Firstly, I is used to refer to the addresser himself/herself and to emphasize that the opinion expressed is the addresser‟s own opinion.Secondly, I is often used when one tells good and Pleasant news.Thirdly, when I is used with other person deietic items in one sentence，different positions of I will imply the addresser‟s different intentions. For example,a. I and She do the same wrong.b.She and I have got the teac her‟s praise.In the first sentence, it shows the addresser intends to bear the consequences of the mistake made by both, However, in the second sentence, I put at a secondary position to show the modesty of the addresser while when it comes to honor.Another example:a.I do not believe Mr. John will do such thing.b.I am glad to hear that you pass do it by yourself.In a, I expresses the addresser‟ own opini on according to his konwledge about Mr.John. He don not think Mr. John will do such thing. The addresser takes the responsibility for his attitude. And it same as b, the spearker satified with the hearer‟ action, so he use I to show the praise comes out spontaneously. The praise is the speaker‟s own attitude other than anyone else‟s.2.1.2 The first Person Plural form weThere are two major uses of we: inclusive and exclusive. Inclusive we is also called we-inclusive-of-addressee, and we- exclusive-of-addressee. “Inclusive we is a powerful emotional force, bringing addresser and hearer together as one, united and sharing common interest.”(Lakeoff,1990:190) If the speaker use inclusive, he intends to shorten the distance between himself and the hearer or create a friendly atmosphere. Inclusive we is commonly used when the speaker gives some suggestions, for example,Shall we go swimming?The addressee puts forward a suggestion by using an interrogative sentence with inclusive we, which makes the speaker‟s attitude more friendly, and the hearer will think that his/her response is very important to the speaker. So the communication will be more effective and smooth.We-exclusive-of addressee can often be found in the report or newspaper, which shows the modest attitude of addressee. Some uses of we and our have been associated with the assertive or direetive force of utterances, which they serve to soften or mitigate(Marmaridou，2000:76)In communication, both inclusive and exclusive can be used. Lakeoff used a speech of president Reagan an example to demostrate it. “By beginning to rebuild our defense , we have restored credible deterrence and can confidently seek a secure and lasting peace, as well as a reduction of arms. As I said Wednesday night, American is back and standing tall. we‟ve begun to restore great American values: the dignity of work, the warmth of family, the strength of neighborhood and the nourishment of human freedom. But our work is not finished.”In the speech, if the hearer do not consider the context, they do not know what “we” and “our” refer to. In fact, “we” and “our” refer to American government or American or both. Reagan use “we” and“our” in his speech in order to let American make an agreement wirh America government.3.Person Deixis in ChineseThe first person deixis in Chinese includes wo(我)，wo-men(我们)，zan(咱)and Zan-men(咱们). wo/zan are the singular forms referring to the addresser himself/herself; wo-men/zan- men are the plural forms referring to an entity of a plural number inclusive of the addresser.wo/wo- men are used in both written and oral forms; while zan/zan- men are more frequently used in oral communieation, especially in northem dialeets, but is rarely used in southem dialeets. “Zan is far more colloquial, and is most commonly used in northern Chinese dialects”(Wei,2002). Wei also points out that “Zan has a specific pragmatic function, and is normally used between friends. Used to show trust, it can therefore reduce social distance between the addresser and the addressee”.3.1 The first person singular form woAccording to Tian Hailong(2001), when a addresser uses wo in self-reference, he is self-confident and ready to take the responsibility for his utterance or behavior. Sometimes wo is used in place of wo-men. This use usually appears in slogan(Xiao Chaohong, Liu Luying, Li Tianmei,2003). By using wo, the structure of the sentence becomes more concise, and the tone becomes more forceful. For example:a.你大国敢不仁，我小国也敢不义！b.还我河山3.2 The first person singular form zanCompared with wo, the use of zan has more pragmatic meaning. Zan can refer to both the addresser and the addressee, but the addresser tends to use zan to indicate himself. When zan is used, the addresser intends to show an intimate relationship with the addressee. For instance:a.要说当经理，咱哥们儿也行。