| Reformulation is a commom phenomenon in modern Chinese discourse: the speaker reformulates the former expression during his speech or writing, while it is not a focus in domestic linguistic circles and the related research is mostly on English teaching and English-Chinese comparasion. This paper finds clues in foreign reformulation studies, explores a new perspective to define this concept. We try to give analysis on the generation, classification and pragmatic functions of reformulation with the five types of developmental sequences from cognitive study and the macro-structure, macro-speech act theory from discourse analysis.The paper includes six chapters.Chapter one is the introduction, including the summary of other research findings and the value and approach of this one. Previous studies of reformulation usually defined it from the view of communication strategies or language surface features. As there is a gap between the aspects of communication psychology and discourse performance, previous definitions were not able to be combined. Moreover, as former and later expressions in reformulation were usually confined to the analysis of semantic equivalence, previous classifications of reformulation were not sufficient in justification. Therefore, this paper intends to solve the main problems of redefinition and reclassification of this phenomenon in Modern Chinese, and to illustrate pragmatic functions of its different types.Chapter two is talking about the nature, performance and definition of reformulation. From the view of speech act, we analyse the pragmatic aspects of reformulation, including its illocutionary intention, independence and influence on the discourse coherence. And then we have a discussion on the representation of this speech act, that is the reformulation indicator, including its illocutionary force structures, discourse markers and some specific punctuation marks. With the characteristic terms of re-exposition and indication, typical and untypical performances of reformulation are respectively described. And after distinguishing the concepts alike, we finally make its redefinition as follows: reformulation is a speech act that exists in the linear speech act sequence and hierarchy structure of discourse, it is dependent on the antecedent act and intents to make it expository. There are specific indicators as signals when it occurs.In chapter three, we lay out the theoretical foundation for classification and carry it out. Theories of developmental sequences in cognitive and macro-structure, macro-speech act in discourse are respectively introduced. After that, we take the decisive developmental sequence as basis, the value of reformulation in discourse progress as criterion, and finally come to the result of reclassification, that is the halt reformulation and the advance reformulation.In chapter four, we give a definition of the halt reformulation and discuss the pragmatic functions it can achieve. Following the developmental sequences of addition, modification and reversed mediation, halt reformulation turns out to be an auxiliary speech act which is retrospective to the antecedent one in speech act sequences. With the operation of halt reformulation, the speaker can achieve purposes of annotation, code-switching, repetition, specification, generalization or justification in communication.In chapter five, the definition of advance reformulation is revealed, as well as the pragmatic functions it can achieve. Following the developmental sequences of substitution, inclusion and mediation, advance reformulation turns out to be a component speech act, even a major one. In speech act sequences, advance reformulation is retrospective to the antecedent act and prospective to the subsequent one(s). With the operation of it, the speaker can achieve purposes of naming, decomposition, deduction, explanation or commenting in communication.Chapter six is the conclusion that summarizes main viewpoints and deficiency of the whole paper. |
