Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Defining Speech Act of Refusal-1

1.2 Reasons for the Research-1

1.3 Significance of the Research-1

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-2

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

2.1 Cross-Cultural Perspective-3

2.2 Pragmatic Perspective-3

Chapter Three Face Theory-5

Chapter Four Chinese and English Speech Act of Refusal-7

4.1 Source of the Data-7

4.2 Chinese Direct Speech Act of Refusal-7

4.2.1 Saying “No”-7

4.2.2 Denying Abilities-8

4.3 Chinese Indirect Speech Act of Refusal-8

4.3.1 Showing Regret and Giving Reasons-9

4.3.2 Stating Philosophical Proverbs-9

4.3.3 Offering Advice-9

4.3.4 Using Ostensible Refusals-10

4.4 English Direct Speech Act of Refusal-10

4.4.1 Saying “No”-10

4.4.2 Expressing Unwillingness-11

4.5 English Indirect Speech Act of Refusal-11

4.5.1 Showing Regret and Giving Reasons-12

4.5.2 Making Options-12

4.5.3 Offering Advice-12

4.5.4 Adopting Hesitation Fillers-13

4.6 Comparison of the Speech Act of Refusal between China and English-13

4.6.1 Similarities-13

4.6.2 Differences-14

Chapter Five Conclusion-15

5.1 Research Findings-15

5.2 Research Limitations-15

References-16

Abstract

Researches on speech act of refusal at home and abroad are mainly from the perspectives of cross-culture and pragmatics. Based on the judges’ speech act of refusal in China’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, this thesis compares and analyzes the similarities and differences between Chinese and English speech act of refusal. It is shown that both Chinese and English tend to use indirect refusals. The speaker often employs direct refusals when challenged by the authority and disrespected by the interlocutor. Indirect refusal can be realized by means of expressing regret or offering advice; the differences are that the English use direct refusals more frequently than Chinese; In public, Chinese people seldom or never use direct refusals. It is not only for the protection of others’ face, but it is also the reflection of China being a “state of etiquette”. This study is of positive significance for understanding language, cultural differences and intercultural communication.

Keywords: China’s Got Talent  Britain’s Got Talent  the speech act of refusal  face