ABSTRACT

As a prevalent phenomenon, pragmatic failure is one of the main sources that give rise to intercultural communication breakdowns. My thesis mainly emphasizes on revealing the main causes of pragmatic failure and offering some possible solutions to overcoming it from the perspective of different cultures between China and Western countries. After reviewing some important researches at home and abroad, a few typical cases of pragmatic failure in daily intercultural communication will be analyzed in detail. In brief, findings of this paper support that pragmatic failures do occur frequently in intercultural communication and it should be attached enough attention. Therefore, it is meaningful and necessary to understand cultural differences, so as to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. This study is thus hoped to provide people with some suggestions about how to improve pragmatic competence. 

Key words: pragmatic failure; intercultural communication; cultural difference

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

摘要

Chapter One INTRODUCTION-1

1.1 Need for the Present Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Present Study-2

Chapter Two LITERATURE REVIEW-3

2.1 Definitions of Pragmatic Failure-3

2.2 Classification of Pragmatic Failure-4

2.2.1 Pragmatic-linguistic failure-5

    2.2.2 Social-linguistic failure-5

2.3 Previous Studies Abroad-6

    2.4 Previous Studies at Home-6

Chapter Three CASE STUDY AND ANALYSIS-8

3.1 Typical Cases of Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication-8

   3.1.1 Greetings-8

3.1.2 Invitation-...9

3.1.3 Privacy-9

3.1.4 Compliment-10

3.1.5 Taboos-11

3.2 Main Causes of Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication..-11

3.2.1 Negative transfer of mother tongue-.11

3.2.2 Lack of pragmatic knowledge-12

3.2.3 Differences in culture and values-13

Chapter Four SOLUTIONS TO PRAGMATIC FAILURE IN INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION-14

4.1 Politeness Principle (PP) in Intercultural Communication-14

4.2 Feasible Solutions and Strategies-15

4.2.1 Offering academic guidance and instructions-15

4.2.2 Reading English books extensively-15

4.2.3 Enhancing pragmatic sensitivity and perception-16

4.2.4 Improving language knowledge and competence-16

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-17

REFERENCES-18