An Analysis Of Lies From The Perspectives Of Cooperative Principle And Politeness Principle

Lies raise the common concern of a lot of scholars as a kind of social phenomenon. Scholars regard it as a significant topic and study lies from different disciplines including philosophy, psychology, sociology, and linguistics. Lie To Me is a very famous TV series which reflects the real lying phenomenon and is filled with all sorts of lies due to different reasons from different people with different backgrounds, in different positions, and of different ages. It can be regarded as a collection of lies due to its authenticity and quantity.In this study, after a careful watching of the TV series and an attentive reading of the script of it, the author attempts to analyze lies in the TV series from the perspectives of Grice’s cooperative principle(CP) and Leech’s politeness principle(PP) and explain how lies violate the maxims of CP but observe the maxims of PP and what pragmatic functions do lies serve during interpersonal conmunication. Lies, as rather complex phenomenon, cannot be explained thoroughly by a single principle. Combining the two principles together may offer a better interpretation of lies.Research results show that people usually lie out of politeness. People lie and violate one maxim or more in the cooperative principle but observe the politeness principle in varying degree. Besides, lies can serve pragmatic functions. Firstly, lies have the interpersonal function, such as maintaining or ending personal relationship. Besides, lies can serve the function of expressing emotions such as melting embarrassment, comforting others or encouraging the frustrated ones.This study offers a better interpretation of lies and the pragmatic functions of lies. It also offer some guidance for people to apply lies as an effective pragmatic strategy properly and effectively to improve their communicative competence and efficiency.