从关联理论的角度解读英语双关语

On English Puns from the Perspective of Relevance Theory

关联理论认为交际是一种明示-推理的过程,是听话者对说话者的意图进行识别的认知过程。英语双关是一种间接表达交际意图的语言形式,具有双重语境的特点。理解者通过对表层含义的层层推理,推翻原有的假设,产生新的语境假设,最终找到最佳关联,领悟双关语的含义。因此,关联理论对双关语具有很强的解释力。

Relevance theory suggests that communication is a process of ostensive-inference,a cognitive process for the audience to identify the communicator＇s intention.Pun is a special form of language which is used to express the communicator＇s intention in indirect ways.As a special component of verbal communication,pun can be illustrated with relevance theory.