Pragmatic Functions Of Wh-question In Criminal Trial Conversation From The Perspective Of Chinese Intonation

Based on the theoretical framework extracted from the focusing feature and attitudinal feature in Chinese intonation, this study aims to conduct an empirical and experimental examination of the pragmatic functions concerning wh-question (including rhetorical wh-question) in criminal trial conversation, by the help of speech analyzing software Praat.The focusing feature is demonstrated by nucleus. Since Chinese is a tone language, the nucleus is determined by pitch range, register and sound length (duration). In relation to attitudinal feature, it is jointly influenced by the mutation of pitch range midline, the acceleration or deceleration of speech rate and the accented phenomenon of soft voice.Within the focusing feature framework, the pragmatic function of wh-question is determined by whether the nucleus is consistent with the question focus. Within the attitudinal feature framework, the pragmatic function of wh-question is influenced by the combination or separation of nucleus and question focus, the abnormal performances of pitch range line, speech rate and soft voice. The pragmatic functions of rhetorical wh-question are impacted by both focusing and attitudinal features. Within the focusing framework, the question focus will either obtain a super accent or be used in a grammaticalization way, both of which are closely related to the negation of propositional statement. Within the attitudinal feature framework, the emotional implications in pragmatic sense are delivered through abnormal performances of pitch range midline, speech rate and soft voice.Within the focusing feature framework, if there is a consistency between nucleus and question focus, the wh-questions are employed for confirmation and verification, in-depth inquiry; if there is an inconsistency between nucleus and question focus, the wh-questions are applied for contrast and emphasis, reminder and indirect suggestion and emphatic adaption. Within the attitudinal feature framework, the wh-questions are used for expressing the negative emotions like blame and scold. Because of the comprehensive influence of focusing and attitudinal features, the rhetorical wh-questions in criminal trial conversation are used for the pragmatic functions of reminding and warning, query and dissatisfaction, retort and justification.