A Study On Deliberate Misinterpretation In Verbal Communication

In verbal interactions, strategies are used to carry out communication goals. Known as one of the strategies, Deliberate misinterpretation occurs when second speaker(S2) correctly understands the intended meaning(M1) expressed by first speaker(S1) via utterance, then, making use of advantages in the context and first speaker's utterance, second speaker responds deliberately to a different meaning(M2).As an effective communication strategy, deliberate misinterpretation is widely used in all kinds of communication circumstances, such as daily conversation, debating, advertising, movies, TV shows and sometimes in diplomatic circumstances. Deliberate misinterpretation shows how participators try to manipulate information and take control in verbal interaction. Thus, theoretically, study on this phenomenon can help us to understand the principles of verbal communication. Practically, it can promote our skills in verbal communication.On the basis of literature review, the study advances the explanation of this phenomenon in following aspects:First, on the nature and characters of deliberate misinterpretation, the study starts with distinguish deliberate misinterpretation from a series of similar concepts.Second, the study categorizes the prerequisites of deliberate misinterpretation, on common ground and in each particular language aspects.Third, with the theory of cognitive pragmatics, the study pursues the mechanism of deliberate misinterpretation.Last but not least, the study analyzes the motivations and the effects of using the strategy. In the author's opinion, deliberate misinterpretation should be adjusted according to the context.