vii
Contents
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................i
List of Tables .........................................................................................................................ii
List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................. iii
Abstract ................................................................................................................................ iv
摘 要 .....................................................................................................................................vi
Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Network Communication ..............................................................................................1
1.1.1 Development of Network Communication ............................................................ 1
1.1.2 CMC System .......................................................................................................... 1
1.1.3 Network Communication Language .......................................................................3
1.2 Research on CMC and Chat Room Conversations ....................................................... 5
1.3 Objective of the Research ............................................................................................. 7
1.4 Methodology of the Research ....................................................................................... 8
1.4.1 Data Collection ....................................................................................................... 8
1.4.3 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 10
1.4.4 Procedure ..............................................................................................................10
1.5 Structure of the Research ............................................................................................ 12
Chapter 2 Literature Review and Theoretical Basis ....................................................... 14
2.1 Pragmatics ...................................................................................................................14
2.1.1 Definition of Pragmatics .......................................................................................14
2.1.2 Pragmatic Strategies and Principles ..................................................................... 15
2.2 Cooperative Principle ..................................................................................................15
2.2.1 Conversational Maxims ........................................................................................16
2.2.2 Conversational Implicature .................................................................................. 16
2.3 Politeness Principle ..................................................................................................... 17
2.3.1 Politeness Strategies ............................................................................................. 18
2.3.2 Face Theory .......................................................................................................... 19
2.4 The Relationship between CP and PP ......................................................................... 19
Chapter 3 Complementary Devices to CP in Chat Room Conversation .......................21
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................21
3.2 Humor Device .............................................................................................................22