The Comparison Of Cognitive Semantic And Pragmatic Functions Between "Ningke" And "Would Rather"

Both " Ningke " in Chinese and "would rather" in English are common words to express the subjects’/speaker’s wish. Both of them have the semantic characteristics of [+comparative,+selective]. They are translated into each other literally almost in all of the authoritative dictionaries and textbooks for teaching Chinese as a Second Language. Besides that, International Chinese language teachers have been used to to "Ningke" so that they ignore its cognitive semantic, pragmatic meaning and functions. These, to some extent, directly affect the students’correct grasping of the word "Ningke". This paper compares the differences between "Ningke" and "would rather" from the perspective of cognitive semantic, pragmatic function with the methods of combining " Induction, Deduction, Illustration, Citation, Description and Explanation"In the first chapter, starting from the conceptual meaning and pre-assessment of "Ningke "and "would rather", this chapter compares the differences of" chosen option" between them, with the conclusion that the former has the cognitive semantic of "Tolerance" while the latter "Choosing Preference" and "Politeness". In the second chapter, the differences of pragmatic functions between them are compared from the perspective of context background, with the conclusion that the former has the pragmatic functions of expressing dissatisfied and resolution, refuting, strengthening proposition, denying listeners and satirizing others; while the latter functioning as threaten Mitigator and expressing request or preference. And then in the third chapter, based on those conclusions above, the reasons of communicative failure from foreign students’misuse of "ningke" are explained and teaching advice is put forward. Finally, in the last chapter, conclusions are made and deficiencies of the paper are put forward.