A Study On The Application Of Phatic Expression From The Perspective Of Memetics

Phatic expression, also called phatic communion, is first proposed by Malinowski. Phaticexpressions are aimless, free and social, and are used to establish and maintain a social bond amongpeople, or to build a friendly atmosphere for communication. As a linguistic behavior, phaticexpression is an act to show politeness. It is indispensable to apply phatic expression into dailyconversation. Therefore, phatic expression is worthy of being deeply analyzed. From the currentstudy of phatic expressions at home, few intensive researches could be found except the study ofcategorization or application of phatic expressions. Based on the theoretical frame of memetics, thispaper states the evolutionary process of phatic expression, which includes heredity, variation andselection, thus, phatic expression gets replicated and spread wider and wider.The author has done systematic research work on the study of phatic expression both abroad andat home, two of which are comparatively vital to linguistic circle. According to Malinowski’s point,phatic expression has important status in daily interaction. And from Laver’s view, paper states thedistributions and functions of phatic expression in interaction. This paper analyzes the evolutionaryprocess of phatic expression in a memetic way. In the evolutionary process of memetics, it containsheredity, variation and selection. This paper gives examples to illustrate the evolutionary algorithmof phatic expressions and categorizes them into phenotype and genotype, single and complex,strong and weak. It infers that phatic expression is selfish and adapts to the request of timesdevelopment. The author draws conclusions to making a comprehensive study. First, it finds out theevolutionary process of phatic expression that how to inherit, variate and select. Second, thefunctions of phatic expressions are placed in the opening phase and closing phase in interactions.Finally，strategies of making appropriate use of phatic expressions are brought up. In specificcontexts, using phatic expressions correctly could establish and maintain harmonious social circlesin long run, and also accommodate human relations.Study on with the theoretical work of memetics, which not only makes phatic expressionevolve and spread continuously, but also enlarges the quantity and content by infecting other phaticmemes or hosts. Through using phatic expressions in daily interaction, English users would be better to smooth the interaction and convey the expressions politely. This paper deepens andenriches the research of phatic expression to some extent, and it also sets a new perspective in thisresearch field. The publications related to phatic expression from the memetic angle are few, anddue to the limitation of my research experience, the paper mentions that there are still a lot left to beimproved and perfected in the further study.