Relevance Theory: Reflection, Criticisms And Solutions

This paper provides a reflection on relevance theory, its major criticisms and problems as well as suggested solutions to these problems. This paper also analyzes the similarities between relevance theory and Chomskyan linguistics, which is taken as a new perspective for the study of relevance theory. The first chapter is a review of the relevance research, focusing on its application in the fields of constraints on linguistic elements and second language research. For example, we have introduced Blakemore's study on the pragmatic analysis of discourse markers as well as Haegeman's study on the analysis of the two tense related phrases 'will' and 'be going to'. In Chapter Two, we provide an introduction to the major notions and theoretic pattern of relevance theory, which gives a theoretical basis for the following chapters. In this chapter, we do not give all the detailed aspects of Relevance Theory. We mainly focus on the following aspects: the cognitive basis of relevance theory, the definition of 'relevance', and the two principles of 'relevance'. We also explain those points which are vulnerable to misunderstanding, for example the difference and relationship between 'minimal relevance' and 'optimal relevance'. Chapter Three concerns the similarities between relevance theory and Chomskyan linguistics in various aspects. This analysis is taken as a perspective for the following discussion. This chapter is mainly on the following aspects: 1, The philosophical common ground; 2, the common ground of the theoretical patterns; 3, the sense of science and principle of economy; 4, similar criticism on these two theories. Chapter Four deals with two points: firstly, we put forward our reflection on the major criticisms of relevance theories and point out its major problems. Secondly, based on the reflection, we propose some initial solutions to the major problems. In this chapter, we refer to the similarities between relevance theory and Chomskyan linguistics to have a better understanding of the nature of the problems in relevance theory. We also work out the solution by referring to the advantages of Chomskyan linguistics. As for the major problems of relevance theory, we are concentrated on two points: all encompassing reductionism, and vagueness, lack of procedure. Chapter Five is a conclusion of the major points proposed in this paper.