On Pragmatic Ambivalence In A Dream Of Red Mansions

This thesis intends to study the pragmatic ambivalence from the aspects of its definition, classification, interpretation, functions and function impact factors through the analysis of pragmatic ambivalence in A Dream of Red Mansions. It is a qualitative study in the framework of speech act theory. According to Professor Yu Dongming (2000: 336), pragmatic ambivalence refers to the phenomenon that in a certain context the speaker(s) convey(s) several illocutionary forces to the hearer(s) by indeterminate, vague or indirect expressions. In this thesis the author has enlarged the research scope by adding one more type of pragmatic ambivalence from hearers'perspective. The pragmatic ambivalence could fall into pragmatic multivalence, pragmatic bivalence/plurivalence and hearers'ambivalence according to participants as the classification criterion. The hearers may or may not successfully interprete the pragmatic ambivalence. Therefore, there are successful interpretation, failed interpretation and negotiation between the speaker(s) and hearer(s). In this thesis, the author mainly explores whether pragmatic ambivalence strengthens the illocutionary goal or not. Meanwhile, she also probes how social distance and social norms affect the fulfillment of its functions.From all the elaboration and analysis, it can be seen that pragmatic ambivalence plays a subtle and significant role in interpersonal communication. It is hoped that it can shed some light on the research on pragmatic ambivalence and give some implication to the interpersonal communication. In addition, the author hopes that it can make some contribution to the better translation of A Dream of Red Mansions.