A Pragmatic Study Of Meaning Narrowing In English Lexicon

The narrowing of meaning is a common phenomenon in the process of communication. This thesis intends to analyze such a phenomenon in English lexicon on the basis of the achievements of former linguists, both native and abroad.Firstly, the author presents an introduction to the whole thesis, then provides a literature review of the studies both of native and foreign linguists and briefly introduces the data and methodology of the thesis.Within the scope of neo-Gricean theory, a systematic study of meaning narrowing in English lexicon is made by the author, by applying Levinson's Q- principle, I-principle and M-principle.The thesis is a tentative study on lexical narrowing in English. It provides a new point of departure for the study of such a topic. The author hopes that this thesis can be a benefit to the understanding of conversations and the study of English.