Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Reasons for the Study-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Structure of the Thesis-1

Chapter Two Previous Studies on the Speech Act of Refusal-3

2.1 Classification of the Speech Act of Refusal-3

2.2 Classification of Refusal Strategies-3

2.3 Cross-cultural Comparison of The Speech Act of Refusal-4

Chapter Three Face Theory-6

Chapter Four Gender Differences in Refusal Strategies-7

4.1 Verbal strategies-7

4.1.1 Direct Refusal-7

4.1.2 Indirect Refusal-8

4.2 Non-verbal Strategies-10

4.2.1 Silence-10

4.2.2 Departure-11

Chapter Five Conclusion-13

5.1 Major Findings-13

5.2 Limitations-13

References-14

Abstract

Previous studies on the speech act of refusal were mainly from the perspective of pragmatics and cultural differences. Few studies are related to the gender differences in the speech act of refusal. Based on face theory, the thesis chooses the refusal discourses in pride and prejudice to study the gender differences in the speech act of refusal, analyze a series of refusal strategies used by different genders and study the underlying factors for the differences. The study finds that men and women have differences in choosing refusal strategies. Women’s speech acts of refusal are more abundant than men’s in contents and forms, and usually combine with several different strategies, for instance, a combination of direct refusal and expressing regret, a combination of expressing gratitude and changing topic, etc. Women tend to use indirect strategies to express their implication, while men use more direct speech and non-verbal strategies such as silence, hesitation, facial expressions, etc. This study is conducive to the smooth progress of cross-gender communication and helps to promote harmonious development of social communication.

Keywords：Pride and Prejudice; the speech act of refusal; refusal strategy; gender difference