A Cognitive Study on Politeness Intention Processing and Its Association with Pragmatic Failure in Cross-Cultural Communication

Although a large number of studies have focused on various aspects of politeness,very little is known about how politeness intention is activated cognitively during verbal communication.The present study aims to explore the cognitive mechanism of politeness intention processing,and how it is related to pragmatic failure during cross-cultural communication.Using 30 Chinese EFL university students who were instructed to finish a probe word judgment task with 96 virtual scenarios,the results indicate that within both mono-and cross-cultural contexts,the response time in the experimental scenarios was significantly slower than that of the filler scenarios.This suggests that politeness intention was activated while understanding the surface meaning of the conversation;however,the EFL learners could not completely avoid the negative transfer of their native politeness conventions when they were comprehending the conversational intention of the target language.Furthermore,no significant differences in response time were found between the groups with high and low English pragmatic competence,illustrating that transferring the pragmatic rules and principles into cross-cultural communication skills was more cognitively demanding.Overall,this study adds to the literature on politeness research and provides some implications for foreign language pragmatic instructions.

A Comparative Study of the L2 Pragmatic Competence of University Students in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland:The Contributions of Sociocultural Context and Linguistic Proficiency

This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country(CM A)and those who had not(CM NA),and 97 Hong Kong students,divided into those from an English-medium secondary school(Hong Kong EMI)and those from a Chinese-medium school(Hong Kong CMI).Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test,and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test,an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play.Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency.The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence—EMI>CMI>CM A>CM NA—reflecting the groups’access to English in real-life contexts.The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity(i.e.,Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play).CM A,but not CM NA,performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness.The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok’s(1993)distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing.

English Translation of Public Signs in Chinese from a Pragmatic Perspective

This paper applies Newmark’s communicative translation and semantic translation theory to analyzing the English translation of Chinese public signs and its pragmatic functions. It finds that communicative translation is typically used to fulfill the communicative function of public signs. Both communicative and semantic translation are employed to adapt to different situational contexts, in order to preserve the pragmatic functions of the Chinese public signs. The differences between Chinese and English lead to pragmatic errors in translation, making the translator’s bilingual proficiency and familiarity with English culture necessary. The fundamental principle of public sign translation is to be concise and clear, which often requires modifying some complex rhetorical devices from Chinese in translation.

Effectiveness of an amino acid beverage formulation in diarrheapredominant irritable bowel syndrome:A pragmatic real-world study

BACKGROUND Amino-acid based medical foods have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of drug induced gastrointestinal side effects;particularly,diarrhea-predominant symptoms.Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects up to 9% of people globally,with diarrhea predominant IBS(IBS-D)being the most prevalent subtype.Further trials are needed to explore potential added benefits when integrated into standard care for IBS-D.AIM To assess the effectiveness of an amino acid-based medical food as an adjunct to standard of care for adults with IBS-D.METHODS This is a pragmatic,real world,open label,single arm study comparing a 2-week baseline assessment to a 2-week intervention period.One hundred adults,aged 18 to 65 years,with IBS-D,according to Rome IV criteria,were enrolled after completing a 2-week baseline assessment period and received a 2-week supply of an amino acid based medical food which was consumed at home twice daily on top of their standard of care.The primary outcome was an assessment of tolerability after 2-weeks of consumption,while secondary outcomes included changes in stool consistency(Bristol Stool Form Scale),severity of abdominal pain&discomfort,symptoms of urgency,Global Improvement Survey(GIS),and the IBS severity scoring system(IBS-SSS).RESULTS The test product was well-tolerated as each participant successfully completed the full 14-day trial,and there were no instances of dropouts or discontinuation of the study product reported.Forty percent of participants achieved a 50% or more reduction in the number of days with type 6-7 bowel movements(IBS-D stool consistency responders).Fifty-three percent of participants achieved a clinically meaningful reduction of 30% in mean weekly pain scores,and 55%experienced the same for mean weekly discomfort scores(IBS-D pain and discomfort responders).Participants experienced a mean-109.4(95% confidence interval:-130.1,-88.8)point reduction on the IBS-SSS and 52% experienced a minimally clinically important difference of>95 points.An IBS-SSS category shift from severe to moderate or mild occurred in 69% of participants.For functional symptoms,76% of participants reported symptom relief on the GIS.CONCLUSION The amino acid-based medical food was well-tolerated,when added to the standard of care,and demonstrated improvements in both overall IBS symptom severity and IBS-D symptoms within just 2 wk.

Exploration of Cross-Cultural Pragmatic Failures in English Interpretation and Their Solutions

From the perspective of international market development and international cultural exchange,English is the main applied language,especially in most western countries.With the deepening of global economic integration and international trade,cultural collisions are becoming increasingly frequent,and interpretation in different languages is inevitably required.However,interpretation does not only mean transfer language,it also involves culture.In the practice of interpretation,some errors arise from the lack of cross-cultural awareness,which becomes pragmatic errors.Therefore,this article will mainly discuss cross-cultural pragmatic failures in English interpretation with some examples and specific solutions.Firstly,it will introduce what pragmatic failures are and typical types of failures,clarify the relationship between English interpretation and pragmatic failures,and then elaborate on representative cross-cultural pragmatic failures in English interpretation.Finally,it will summarize the reasons and solutions that lead to cross-cultural pragmatic failures in English interpretation,putting forward corresponding suggestions for reducing cross-cultural pragmatic failures.

Theoretical Transplantation into Translation Studies——An Analysis on the Pragmatic Application of Hofstede’s

The deepening process of globalization has given rise to restless cultural exchanges among people from different regions of the world through newspapers,books,and other written media.However,the significant differences in languages and cultures have become an insurmountable gap in intercultural communication.To lubricate cultural exchanges,new translation theories that focus on the transformation of different cultural concepts shall be introduced and adopted.This paper aims to extract applicable notions from Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions for pragmatic translation studies by laying emphasis on its pragmatic value through case study.By such theoretical transplantation,valuable suggestions are proposed to tackle cultural misunderstandings and conflicts encountered amid cultural exchanges.

罗蒂的新实用主义及其与后现代主义的关系

罗蒂与后现代主义的关系相当复杂。罗蒂通过批判欧洲近代哲学的“表象论”的认识论路线和早期分析哲学的“图像论”语言观而得出某些类似于后现代主义的结论。从这一角度看,罗蒂与法国后现代主义代表人物德里达一样都致力于解构形而上学。然而,罗蒂的实用主义立场又导致他在文化观等方面与法国后现代主义者分道扬镳。罗蒂从实用的效果出发肯定现代性和世俗社会中的某些积极因素,并且他还为技术理性、人本主义和怀抱希望的浪漫主义精神正名,批评后现代主义一味解构和不提出任何致力于改造社会的理想蓝图。至于罗蒂的新实用主义究竟新在何处和有无问题,可将其与传统的实用主义论点和后现代主义的论点相对照。

从句后置型假设句的语法特征与语用动因

现代汉语从句后置型假设句是一种主要用于言域的语用性特殊假设句式。因使用非常规语序而语义关系不明,便强制要求使用假设标记,同时排斥推论标记,形成“……,如果……的话”这样的典型结构形式。其语体分布和假设标记显示了其书面化倾向,具有追补说明作用的从句可为主句所言提供适宜性条件。这种特殊语序假设句能在汉语中使用开来,外受西文翻译的影响,内则因凸显强调主句内容及与前后文保持语义连贯的语用需要。语用表达需求是假设句语序变异的主要原因。

“双碳”战略下的德国气候话语语用研究

研究立足于“双碳”战略大背景,基于语用学视角下的预设和言语行为理论,借助语料库工具,建立联邦政府应对气候问题演讲语料库;综合运用定量定性研究方法,从词汇、句式、语篇层面解读德国气候话语的语用策略。研究发现,德国政府关于气候问题的演讲话语实现了其气候话语理念在环境领域的传播,并阐释了其应对气候变化问题的态度,同时扩大和巩固了气候话语权,提升了国际领导力和软实力。在推广模式上,德国政府通过预设触发语实施形象塑造战略与情感传递战略,增强了气候话语影响力。最后提出了其对我国气候话语体系建设的几点启示。

汉语说明语篇中的事物回指研究

本文以汉语说明语篇中与说明对象相关的回指形式为研究对象,通过定量统计和定性分析相结合的方法,考察各种不同类型回指形式在说明语篇中的篇章分布情况,归纳说明语篇中有关说明对象的回指类型。分析汉语说明语篇中的回指在编码时遵循的倾向性规律和一般性原则,并进一步探讨回指作为一种特殊语篇资源的多种功能和特殊价值。

文化语用学研究现状与展望——基于CiteSpace知识图谱的分析

文章基于国内CNKI数据库中1993-2022年文化语用学的核心研究,借助CiteSpace可视化知识图谱,分析了国内文化语用学研究的发文量趋势、主要研究作者和机构以及研究热点和前沿。研究发现:国内文化语用学研究的发文量整体上经历了滥觞期、发展期、上升期、冷却期、回暖期和浓缩期,涌现了何刚教授等优秀的文化语用学者。发表论文最多的机构分别为广东外语外贸大学、华东师范大学和哈尔滨工程大学等高校。从关键词的研究热点来看,学者们一方面聚焦文化差异、文化交际、文化、跨文化和文化语境等跨文化交际层面,另一方面关注语用失误、言语行为、礼貌原则等语用层面;从关键词的研究前沿来看,积极语用、网络媒介、政治话语和文化外译等是当前文化语用学研究的最新阵地。在此基础上,文章提出了国内文化语用学研究所面临的挑战,以期为该学科领域研究的后续发展提供方向性参考。

道德作为审美如何可能?

将康德“实践理性”与中国文化“实用理性”精神进行简略比较,我们会得出中西不同文化意义的“道德作为审美”都是“可能”的这一初步结论。二者具有相异的文化背景与哲学机制。对于西方文化而言,“道德作为审美”之所以“可能”,是因为人格道德的至善与美,决定于“纯粹理性”即“上帝”的“在场”;就中国文化来说,是因为经过先秦“史”文化的“祛魅”即“理性化”过程,以“良知”即内在觉悟作为心灵根因的缘故,是心体与性体的合一于道。“道德作为审美”的可能实现,取决于“幸福”与“崇高”同时两栖于道德与审美的缘故。

普特南论美国实用主义的独特性

当美国土生土长的实用主义传统发展到21世纪,哲学界便有人认为实用主义不过是一种过时了的哲学思潮,它在一百年前曾经昙花一现,然而在当代哲学中却不能发挥多大作用。希拉里·普特南坚决反对这种观点,为此他专门写下姊妹论文《实用主义的独特性》和《什么使实用主义如此与众不同?》,把美国实用主义哲学同欧洲三大哲学流派进行比较,目的是在形而上学传统的框架内突显实用主义的独特性及其存在的必要性。普特南的新实用主义哲学不仅体现出早年的分析哲学元素,同时还体现出同欧陆哲学的主流思想之间存在的明显差异。他在后期哲学中所坚持的实用主义立场是建基于经验之上的有关我们日常生活的哲学。

现代汉语隐性否定研究综述

隐性否定以“无显性否定形式”和“具有否定意义”为条件,学界大体从概念界定、表达形式、语用功能以及新理论视角等方面对隐性否定加以研究。对目前的隐性否定研究成果进行梳理和总结,以求明确学界在隐性否定研究领域的现状和不足,从而确定接下来的研究方向和目标。

话题标记“说起”的语用功能

话题标记“说起”总是近距离地重新引入一个前文已经提及的人或事物并使之成为话题。近距离引入话题的动因在于,在说话人看来话题具有较高的言谈价值,通常是说话人钟情的对象。“说起”话题句具有鲜明的报道性,结构上,新闻语体中的“说起”话题句可分为六类,包含言说动词的三类结构用例最多。“说起”话题句多与言说行为相关,说明它还兼具提示信息来源的功能,“说起”话题句与“关于”话题句在语体、正式程度上的差异即源于此。

案件溢出事实对法院裁判形成过程的影响

准确把握与合理运用案件溢出事实,对于案件定量裁判的公正性具有重要的实践价值和意义。以民事纠纷中的彩礼案为例,我国已形成案件溢出事实运用的规范主义的三种进路。然而,这些规范主义进路存在难以对溢出事实作出穷尽规定,难以量化把握溢出事实的运用,以及已有的典型案例和司法解释尚有矛盾或欠严谨等主要问题。因而在案件的定量裁判中,裁判者对溢出事实的判断和运用仍需遵循实践主义逻辑,要基于个案溢出事实与主要事实的内在联系,从情理角度对案件的溢出事实加以衡量,并以可靠性作为判断和运用案件溢出事实的前提。运用案件溢出事实作出的定量裁判结果的正当性证成,需以当事人对裁判结果存在最低限度的可接受性为前提。

“两个结合”视野下的中华古体诗词创作研究

语言是文化传承核心性的载体。当下社会中存在的语用能力降低问题,不仅阻碍有效信息的交流,长此以往也将会影响民族文化传承,不利于中华民族现代文明的建设。推进中华古体诗词创作,在摹习经典诗词作品的过程中,将新词融入传统文学形式,能够为解决“词穷”问题提供有益借鉴。在“两个结合”的视野下研究中华古体诗词的当代价值、创作机理、发展动力,会获得许多新的发现。优秀的诗词作品是声音、形象、意蕴的完美结合,体现出汉字特有的声、韵、调,是汉语的“母语境界”的集中彰显。中国传统文论“修辞立其诚”的命题,厘清了达此境界的路径,但未能解决其动力性的问题,而马克思的“实践”理论提供了答案。当代古体诗词创作中将新语入诗词,是把当下时代的“热词”放入格律熔炉中加以“淬火”。这一重要的语词“实践”,推动了当代汉语的发展,在网络用语带来强力冲击、数字虚拟写作方兴未艾等的背景下显得格外重要。

蓄意隐喻理论视角下疫情歌曲的创作路径研究

蓄意隐喻是疫情歌曲中的常见现象,通过明喻、暗喻、规约隐喻、新奇隐喻以及其他语言和修辞手段呈现,往往依赖转喻构成认知的基础,集语言、思维和交际功能于一身,在疫情期间和后疫情时代发挥了引导、规劝、疗愈的积极作用。在创作疫情歌曲时,创作者可以围绕创作意图,选取特定转喻符号构建蓄意隐喻和其他认知结构,在完成歌曲构思后,选择恰当的话语形式呈现蓄意隐喻和其他认知结构,这样的创作路径更能引起听众的共情。

“权宜之计”抑或“合理之举”:清末民国大学预科制度存废的论争

大学预科制度系清末效仿日本为应对进入大学生源质与量均不足而采取的“权宜之计”。由于大学预科多由各大学独自办理,其课程及教学能较好地对标大学相关专业本科的基础知识要求,故在民国之后更是获得了“合法性”地位,相当时期内开办大学预科不仅合法而且合理,为各大学所青睐,即使在《壬戌学制》颁行后没有了合法性,却依然“蓬勃发展”。但大学预科属性不清,尤其是它与大学的关系问题,早在民国初年便成为引发北大预科风潮的重要原因。同时,由于大学本身布局不合理,势必造成大学预科设立区域的不公平,导致各地教育发展差异不断扩大,且影响中学教育的发展。但大学预科相对于普通高中的课程及教学而言,其对于大学本科教育基础知识的“精准对标”,确实又更有助于大学教育的专业发展。何去何从,对于大学预科制度的存废一直存在争论,即使是在1930年废止令发布,论争之声并没有完全消失。

多义同构类流行构式“Y也是一种W”的语用功能

“Y也是一种W”的构式义可归纳为非常规视角下进行的非常规判断,语用上起到力图说服他人认同某种类同关系的作用,表达一种措辞性语用肯定。构件是构式义制约下的构件,它必须满足构式的整体语用意义。变项Y与W之间具有多义性,构件“也”“一种”对整个构式表达委婉语用肯定起到至关重要的作用。此外,本文还比较了“Y也是一种W”与“有一种X叫Y”两种流行构式的异同。