A Corpus-Based Study of the Discourse Marker“Well”and Its Pragmatic Functions in L2 Learners’Dialogues

This paper focuses on the pragmatic function of the discourse marker“well”in conversational interaction of second language learners.Based on the corpus,we divide the pragmatic functions of“well”into four levels:content level,structural level,interpersonal level,and without level(interlanguage marker).This will help us understand the use of markers,such as“well”in interlanguage and provide references for improving the pragmatic competence of second language learners.

Analysis of Pragmatic Functions of“Smile”Emoji in Chinese WeChat Communication Between People of Different Ages

With the rapid development of social media,emojis have gradually become an indispensable communication tool in computer-mediated communication(CMC).In recent years,researchers have found that emojis not only have semantic and syntax functions(e.g.,punctuation),but also perform pragmatic functions.Therefore,this thesis is to investigate the differences in pragmatic functions of“smile”emoji between people of different ages.And this paper is a small-scale quantitative research based on the eight pragmatic functions of emoticons proposed by Yus(2014).To find out similarities and differences of“smile”emoji between people of different ages,this paper compared the use frequency and pragmatic functions of“smile”emoji in two WeChat groups which are from youth and middle-aged people and did statistical analysis by Statistic Package for Social Science(SPSS).According to similarities and differences in frequency and pragmatic functions,“smile”emoji can be divided into four categories,which are:(1)similar frequency but different functions;(2)different frequency but similar function,(3)emojis exist only in one group;and(4)similar in both use frequency and function.So,the results suggest that there is a difference between people of different ages using“smile”emoji in WeChat communication.Thus,this study will provide insights into how to use emojis in WeChat when people at different ages communicate with each other can make a successful conversation.

On Pragmatic Functions of Discourse Marker I mean

Discourse markers are among the basic building blocks of spoken language.This study gauges the use of the discourse marker I mean in spoken English,specifically in the talk show setting,with the aim of providing a comprehensive description of the pragmatic functions of I mean.After extracting large quantities of extended conversations from various talk shows,a corpus for fur⁃ther extensive discourse analysis will then be established.Our small-scale yet fine-grained study proposes that the core functions of I mean includes reformulation,elaboration,lexical search and interpersonal management.The wide use of discourse markers in TV talk shows serves to promote the logic and organization of interviewing language as well as the overall discourse setting whereby the talk shows proceed smoothly with the interlocutors’dynamic devotion into conversation.

A Study of Pragmatic Vagueness in Chinese Spokespersons’Remarks

Pragmatic vagueness is not only a universal phenomenon in daily life,but also an indispensable communicative strategy,especially in press conferences.This article analyzes pragmatic vagueness in Chinese Spokespersons’four remarks from the perspective of Grice’s Cooperative Principle.The purpose of the article is to analyze the application of pragmatic vagueness in the remarks of Chinese spokespersons from the perspective of the Cooperative Principle and its pragmatic functions.The results show that pragmatic vagueness was an international communicative strategy in the remarks of Chinese spokespersons and through the use of pragmatic vagueness,the spokespersons violated the maxims of the Cooperative Principle,especially quantity maxim and manner maxim,in order to achieve different pragmatic functions:withholding information,being flexible,avoiding conflicts and safeguarding national interests.These findings have some implications for people to understand the application and functions of pragmatic vagueness in the remarks of Chinese spokespersons.

Study on "ban-A-bu-B" Format

“ban-A-bu-B”format is a popular format in spoken expression in modern Chinese.Basing on the full analysis of the nature and characteristics of the variable part“A”“B”and the invariant part of“ban”and“bu”,this paper holds that the format is a lowlevel expression with a format meaning:1.When the semantemes of A and B are opposite,the whole format emphasis on“ban-A”,which contains the expression of soft rejection and disgust;2.When the semantames between A and B are similar,this format contains inappropriate and disagree expression to things or events,etc.This kind of format has a function of lowlevel negative evaluation and the function of high-level subjectivity.

The Characteristics and Pragmatic Strategies of English Euphemism

Some words may cause embarrassment in daily communication,and euphemism is a language type to avoid embarrassment.Euphemism is widely used in English expression.On the basis of exploring the characteristics of English euphemism in times,regionalism,register,and nationality,this paper discusses in detail the pragmatic functions of English euphemism from four dimensions,namely taboo,politeness,positivity,and concealment,in order to provide guidance for the proper use of English euphemism.

Humor and Vocabulary Teaching in Senior High School

Vocabulary is one of the main influence factors in senior high school students' English learning according to the author's English teaching practice.After having analyzed the features of English vocabulary,this paper puts forward some methods of teaching vocabulary from these aspects:the formation of words,homographs and homophones,and the language situation.

A Study of the Chinese Vocative Jiemei

This article investigates the pragmatics of a recently emerged Chinese vocative,namely Jiemei in sentence-initial positions.I attempt to explore how and why such a vocative is widely employed by a female interlocutor to address another female in China.Through the analysis of the examples attained using BCC,a Chinese corpus containing conversations from a wide range of genres,this study suggests a various relational acts performed by Jiemei and its pragmatic functions.

A Pragmatic Account of the Discourse Marker Look in the Big Bang Theory

This study focuses on analyzing the pragmatic functions of the discourse marker look in casual conversations.Through the anal-ysis of the collected data from the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory(season eight),it is found that look can act respectively as(1) astart marker of a new topic or a topic shift marker,(2) a coherence marker,(3) a repair marker in different contexts,(4) an emotionalmarker,and(5) a mitigator of face-threatening acts.These functions show that although look as a discourse marker is just a single word,it can improve the way of communicating in the conversation and help speakers express more than what they say.