| Talk show, as a kind of media discourse, bears some similarities with both daily conversation and institutional discourse. Therefore, it is regarded as a combination of interpersonal communication and media transmission. This thesis, based on the three universal pragmatic principles—Cooperative Principle, Face Theory, and The Principle of Goal-Direction, sets out to make a study on the discourse strategies in Chinese TV talk show. The author hopes that this study will be beneficial to the talk show chief editors, sponsors, and especially the host in achieving success in the program. Besides, a study on discourse strategies can also help people to improve their self-expression and ability to respond in communication.The first part of this thesis gives a brief introduction about the research background, aims and significance of the study, method, and data collection as well. Part two focuses on an overview of the previous study on TV talk shows. It is discovered that most of the study on talk shows are conducted from perspectives of mass media and linguistics. Unfortunately, only a few have paid attention to the discourse strategies used by the host and the guest in the actual talk.In part three, Cooperative Principle and Face theory are introduced first. CP is treated as an "ideal native speaker situational context". Face Theory cannot apply to goal-conflicting interaction. Therefore, they all fail to provide sufficient bases for explanation of any interactions in any context. Then the Principle of Goal-Direction is introduced. It takes "goal" as the starting point and provides a sustainable conceptual framework for analyzing strategic discourse recorded in real situations. Finally a theoretical framework for the present study is formed. Principle of Goal-Direction will be served as the fundamental theoretical basis, and the CP and Face Theory will be adopted in the specific analysis of specific situations.In part four, the author first analyzes the goal relations in TV talk show, and points out the institutional goal of TV talk show. Then, based on a careful analysis, it is found out that various discourse strategies are adopted by the host and the guest to fulfill their goals in the process of interaction. From micro perspective, the host uses different types of questions as strategies to fulfill his goals; hedges are also used as a politeness strategy to reduce threats to the face and ensure a smooth move of the conversation. From the macro perspective, in order to leave a strong impression on the audience, the host carefully designs his way of doing interview. He may approach from not so related questions to closely related questions, or press harder and harder by a series of questions. Strategies used by the guest are: shifting the topic; providing over-informative responses; using rhetorical questions and providing inadequate information.In the last part, the author first summarizes the thesis, concluding that the choice of strategies is closely related to and determined by the goal. The participants adopt different strategies to reach their goals. Then the limitations of the present study and the suggestions for further study are also included.Through the above analysis, it is discovered that in TV talk show, discourse strategies used by the host and the guest are highly motivated as well as determined by their respective goals. The present study not only manifests the goal-directedness in TV talk show, but also testifies that the Principle of Goal-Direction applies well in TV talk show discourse. Above all, it enriches the study of talk show by providing a new theoretical perspective. At the same time it also implies certain significance to the talk show chief editors, the host and other people. |
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