A Pragmatic Analysis Of Conversational Implicatures In Catch-22

This thesis intends to apply Prof. Xu Shenghuan's theory of conversational implicatures, rhetorical devices and the methods of Critical Discourse Analysis to the analysis of conversational implicatures in Catch-22, which is regarded as the representative work of Black Humor. It also aims to reflect on the theory of conversational implicatures.At present, most studies of conversational implicatures both at home and abroad are confined to daily conversations, whereas there are fewer analyses of conversational implicatures in literary works. Most studies take the Cooperative Principle and the Politeness Principle as the analytic methods, while few studies are based on the neo-Gricean theory of conversational implicatures. Besides, the relevant studies of Catch-22 both at home and abroad are mainly from the perspectives of literature, stylistics and sociology, while the pragmatic analysis of it is far from enough. This thesis is based on Prof. Xu Shenghuan's theory of conversational implicatures and applies various methods to reveal conversational implicatures in Catch-22.This research has certain theoretical and practical significance. This paper applies the theory of conversational implicatures to the analysis of a novel, which may deepen the understanding of this novel as well as the theory of conversational implicatures. Based on the data analysis, the author figures out some deficiencies in Prof. Xu Shenghuan's theory of conversational implicatures and attempts to propose modifications to it. The previous appreciation of literary works is mainly conducted from the literary aspects. This thesis applies some useful linguistic theories to the appreciation of literature in order to make it more profound. This study may also be used for reference in English teaching. Teachers and students should pay attention to the cultivation of communicative competence, especially the flexible use of conversational implicatures in communication. Finally, this study may also help improve the communicative effects and make conversations go more smoothly.