Locally Initial Pronouns In Chinese Conversation: A Cognitive-pragmatic Analysis

A locally initial pronoun (LIP) refers to a pronoun occurring without an explicitantecedent in the immediate conversation yet won’t bring the addressee any difficultyin comprehension. However, the existing studies on this issue are mainly focused onLIPs in English discourse. The present study is intended to investigate the uses ofLIPs in Chinese conversation from a cognitive-pragmatic perspective.On the basis of228LIP instances drawn from20classic Chinese plays and TVseries, the thesis first classifies LIPs into two broad categories: LIPs with antecedenttriggers and those without antecedent triggers. The former can be further dividedaccording to the form of the antecedent trigger, be it an NP or a non-NP. Besides, it’sfound that in most cases there is a stereotypic relation holding between an NPantecedent trigger and the referent.Grounded on Reference Point Model with Common Ground Theory as acomplement, we then formulate a tentative analytical framework for LIPinterpretation in Chinese verbal communication. The interpretation process goes likethis: on hearing an LIP, the addressee will spontaneously track the most prominententity, namely, the antecedent trigger as the reference point (RP). The RP will thenactivate a dominion in which a series of entities are conceptually connected.Following this, the addressee can instantly locate the target in the dominion with theaid of certain type of common ground shared with the speaker. Obviously, this modelis valid enough in explaining LIPs with antecedent triggers. However, for LIPswithout antecedent triggers, we may assume that provided with adequate commonground information and a postcedent trigger as the RP, one can also gain a reasonablecomprehension. Usually, a postecedent trigger tends to be a linguistic unit that is inclose semantic connectivity with the LIP. And this assumption has been verified byour data. Therefore, a revision of the previous LIP interpretation procedure becomes anecessity and thus a reasonable cognitive interpretation model that works for all types of LIPs in Chinese conversation is offered.Then, through a close analysis of the data, we discovered that LIPs in Chineseconversation are expected to realize two main functions: textual function andinterpersonal function. During the process of constructing a dialogue, the tacitantecedent (the referent) has already been in the interlocutors’ mind. As aconsequence, in using an LIP instead of a full-form reference, the speaker aims toestablish co-reference between the LIP and the target. And a coherent dynamicconversational discourse is thereby built. Additionally, in some situations, the LIPs areto achieve a particular communicative purpose. Altogether, we have concluded fivetypes of interpersonal functions: indicating the speaker’s social status; avoiding socialimpoliteness and showing respect for the addressee; claiming close acquaintance withthe addressee; showing intimacy with the referent; emphasizing the objectivity of thestatement.In short, LIPs in this paper have been studied from three aspects: distributionpattern, interpretation and functions. It’s hoped that this study may enrich thetheoretical research on LIPs in Chinese conversation, and shed some light on foreignlanguage teaching and learning. Last but not least, our research helps to reveal animportant principle followed in language using; that is, speakers always strive toachieve the best communicative effects with the least effort.