the Perspective of Politeness Principle Pragmatic Functions of White Lies from

Abstract

Lie, as a universal language phenomenon, plays an important role in people’s daily communication. Lies can be classified into two types: white lies and malicious lies. The malicious lies must be avoided, while white lies, as a typical speech act and language strategy, play an important role in the interpersonal communication. In recent years, the research of white lies has become a crucial project in current research. However, the previous studies pay much attention to the definition, characteristics and classification of white lies. Basing on the pragmatic perspective, this thesis will study the pragmatic functions of white lies.

This thesis, guided by the politeness principle theory, explores the pragmatic functions of white lies by analyzing the dialogues in Chinese and English films and the author’s real experiences and observation in daily life. This thesis is divided into five parts. The first part briefly introduces the definition and features of white lies. The second part of this thesis briefly analyzes the underlying causes of telling white lies. The third part summarizes the politeness principle theory and discusses its applicability in the study of white lies. The fourth part analyzes the pragmatic functions of white lies based on the politeness principle theory. The fifth part gives some suggestions about how to appropriately utilize the pragmatic functions of the white lie.

Through the study of White lies, the author finds out the reasons of white lies involve social, psychological and cultural factors. And the pragmatic functions of white lies involve the interpersonal function, emotional function, psychological comfort function. Through the study of white lies, the author hopes that it can help people to realize white lies can be a positive pragmatic strategy and appropriately utilize its pragmatic functions can improve people’s interpersonal communication competence and harmonize interpersonal relationships.

Key words: white lies; politeness principle; pragmatic functions