政务道歉的程式性与仪式性特征

Formulaicity and Rituality in Chinese Governmental Apology

基于政务道歉文本,本文从道歉策略构成和以言行事指示手段策略出发探讨政务道歉的程式性与仪式性特征。研究发现:以言行事指示手段策略使用占比最高;其他道歉策略按照使用频率高低依次为承担责任、承诺克制、提供解释和提供弥补办法。政务道歉主要采用4类以言行事指示手段表达歉意,分别为“道歉/致歉”类、“痛心”类、“对不起”类、“请求谅解”类,并倾向于使用强度副词“深”与“诚恳”类词汇对道歉语进行修饰,以增强道歉语力。研究结果表明政务道歉作为一种机构性的危机应对行为,在道歉策略以及以言行事指示手段的选择上构成一种程式性的语言公式,体现出语用-语言形式上的程式性特征。同时,程式性的语言使用使得政务道歉在很大程度上成为政务机构用于恢复公共道德秩序的仪式性手段,从而构成了其语用功能上的仪式性特征。

This study examines the pragmatic features of Chinese governmental apology discourse from two aspects, namely the apology strategies and the use of illocutionary force indicating devices(IFIDs). Our results show that IFIDs remain the most frequently used strategy and that among the four indirect apology strategies, expression of responsibility/blame is the most frequent, followed by the promise of forbearance, explanation/account, and the offer for repair respectively. IFIDs in the Chinese governmental apologies can be classified into four categories, namely apology, feeling deeply sad/regrettable, feeling sorry for, and asking for forgiveness. Additionally, the illocutionary force of apology is usually strengthened with adverbs such as “deeply” and “sincerely”.Governmental apologies are highly institutionalized responses to public crises. Our study reveals that these apologies are formulaic, embodying the pragmatic features of formulaicity in their pragmalinguistic realizations. Meanwhile, due to their formulaicity, governmental apologies embody a ritualistic communicative practice for government agencies to restore public moral order, rather than to truly reconcile with the public. This ritualistic nature demonstrates the pragmatic function of rituality in the Chinese governmental apology discourse.