Chapter 2
Literature review
This chapter begins with an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of the present study, namely, the concept of pragmatic competence, speech act theory and theories of politeness. Following this is a select review of empirical studies on speech acts, including cross-cultural studies on requests and refusals, interlanguage requests and refusals, requests and refusals by Chinese speakers, and speech acts in emails. Then research on pragmatic transfer, which is the central focus of the study, is presented. The definition and types of pragmatic transfer are introduced first, followed by studies on pragmatic transfer in different speech acts. Previous research findings pertaining to the relationship between pragmatic transfer and language proficiency are reported next. This chapter concludes with a discussion of data collection methods.
Article outline
- 2.1Pragmatic competence
- 2.1.1Hymes’ concept of communicative competence
- 2.1.2Canale’s framework
- 2.1.3Bachman’s framework
- 2.2Speech act theory
- 2.3Politeness theories
- 2.3.1Politeness principle
- 2.3.2Face-saving theory
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2.3.3The Chinese concept of politeness
- 2.4Empirical studies on speech acts
- 2.4.1Cross-cultural speech act studies
- 2.4.1.1Requests
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2.4.1.2Refusals
- 2.4.2Studies on interlanguage pragmatics
- 2.4.3Studies on requests and refusals by Chinese speakers and EFL learners
- 2.4.3.1Requests
- 2.4.3.2Refusals
- 2.4.4Studies on speech acts in emails
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2.5Pragmatic transfer
- 2.5.1Definition of pragmatic transfer
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2.5.2Studies on pragmatic transfer
- 2.5.2.1Pragmatic transfer in requests
- 2.5.2.2Pragmatic transfer in refusals
- 2.5.2.3Pragmatic transfer in other speech acts
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2.5.3Pragmatic transfer and linguistic proficiency
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2.6Data collection methods
- 2.6.1Naturally occurring data
- 2.6.2Production questionnaires