A Study of Nonverbal Pragmatic Failure: Forms, Causes, and Avoiding Strategies

论文摘要

如今,跨文化交际已成为国际间交流的重要特征。然而,由于跨文化交际者对外语相关知识掌握的不够或不了解异族文化的特点,经常在跨文化交际中出现语用上的多种失误,影响跨文化交际的质量,甚至导致交际的失败。因此,对跨文化交际语用失误的研究已成为当代语言学研究的一个具有重要理论意义和实用价值的课题。本文首先从实际应用的角度分析了非语言交际在跨文化交际的重要性,并指出非言语语言语用失误会导致人们交流的失败,成为人际以及国际间交流的障碍。文章的第三章首先列举了毕继万的将人们交流中常见的非言语语言信息所分成的四大类:肢体语言、副语言、客体语和环境语。然后分别以举例的方式分析了这四类非言语语言信息可能导致的语用失误。第四章从两个大的方面分析了导致这些失误的原因:文化与文化之间差异的客观存在成为跨文化交际中非言语语言语用失误的首要原因;进行跨文化交际者由于受自身文化背景以及思维的制约而产生的心理倾向性也成为非言语语言语用失误的重要原因。第五章则是针对这些语用失误,作者给出了一些可能的方法去改善这些失误,为跨文化交际者实现成功的交际提供更多的可能。第六章是整篇文章的结论部分,作者在此部分指出自身研究的局限性并对未来的相关研究提出建议。

论文目录

• Abstract
• 摘要
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter One: Introduction
• 1.1 Nonverbal Language in Communication
• 1.1.1 Pragmatic Functions of Nonverbal Language in Communication
• 1.1.2 Importance of Nonverbal Language in Communication
• 1.2 Purpose of This Thesis
• 1.3 Layout of This Thesis
• Chapter Two: Literature Review
• 2.1 The Historical Perspective of Nonverbal Communication
• 2.2 Theoretical Origin of Nonverbal Language
• 2.2.1 Jenny. Thomas' Definition of Pragmatic Failure
• 2.2.2 Limitations of Thomas' Definition
• 2.2.3 Re-defining Intercultural Pragmatic Failure
• 2.3 Bi Jiwan's Intercultural Nonverbal Communication
• Chapter Three: Forms of Nonverbal Pragmatic Failures
• 3.1 Introduction of Nonverbal Pragmatic Failure
• 3.2 Pragmatic Failure of Body Language
• 3.2.1 Definition of Body Language
• 3.2.2 Pragmatic Failure of Body Language
• 3.3 Pragmatic Failure of Paralanguage
• 3.3.1 Definition of Paralanguage
• 3.3.2 Pragmatic Failure of Paralanguage
• 3.4 Pragmatic Failure of Object Language
• 3.4.1 Definition of Object Language
• 3.4.2 Forms of Pragmatic Failure of Object Language
• 3.5 Pragmatic Failure of Environmental Language
• 3.5.1 Definition of Environmental Language
• 3.5.2 Forms of Pragmatic Failure of Environmental Language
• Chapter Four: Causes of Nonverbal Pragmatic Failure
• 4.1 Culture & the Differences Between Cultures—from the Objective Perspective
• 4.1.1 Definition of Culture
• 4.1.2 Culture & Communication
• 4.1.3 Cultural Features of Nonverbal Language
• 4.1.4 Culture's Impact on Nonverbal Communication
• 4.1.4.1 Culture's Nonverbal Message Systems
• 4.1.4.2 Culture May Bring Improper Cultural Attitudes
• 4.2 Communicators in the Cross-cultural Communication —from the Subjective Perspective
• 4.2.1 Seeking Similarities
• 4.2.2 Uncertainty Reduction
• 4.2.3 Stereotyping and Prejudice
• 4.2.3.1 Stereotyping
• 4.2.3.2 Prejudice
• 4.2.4 Ethnocentrism
• Chapter Five: Strategies to Deal with Nonverbal Pragmatic Failures
• 5.1 Strategies Related Closely to Culture—from the Macroscopic Angle
• 5.1.1 Awareness of Cultures' Differences
• 5.1.2 Awareness of Cultures' Equality
• 5.1.3 Avoiding Inappropriate Cultural Attitudes
• 5.1.4 Viewing Cultural Norms Dynamically
• 5.2 Strategies Related to the Communicators in the Cross-cultural Communication—from the Microscopic Angle
• 5.2.1 Knowing ourselves
• 5.2.2 Considering the Physical and Human Settings
• 5.2.3 Knowing Diverse Nonverbal Message Systems
• 5.2.4 Developing Empathy
• 5.2.5 Encouraging Feedback
• 5.2.6 Developing Communication Flexibility
• Chapter Six: Conclusion and Revelations of the Thesis
• 6.1 Conclusion
• 6.2 Revelations on Future Language Teaching and Learning
• 6.3 Revelations on Future Concerned Research
• Works Cited