A Study On The Pragmatic Functions Of The China English From The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

This thesis is a study of the pragmatic functions of China English(Chinese Variety of English). The China English has always been investigated from its trans-cultural communication, socio-linguistics and translation perspective. Compared with the foreigners who investigate the English varieties of their mother languages, Chinese investigate China English in a limited level, especially in the perspective of Pragmatics. As pragmatics develops in a multi-field, multi-disciplinary and multi-situational way, people begin to gradually recognize the fruitful pragmatic functions of China English. Nowadays, the study of the pragmatic functions of China English should earn all our attention.Based on three research questions, the thesis adopts Vershuren’s adaptation theory as the theory frame and the case study method is applied here. The research questions are as follows:(1)What are the pragmatic functions of the China English from the perspective of adaption theory?(2)What are the characteristics of the pragmatic functions of China English?(3)How are the pragmatic functions of China English realized in contextual correlates? From the analysis, it can be concluded that China English has fruitful pragmatic functions. It can be concluded as follows: to fulfill the authentic Chinese expressions in English; to express the humorous and exaggerate intention of the speakers; to deliver the Chinese beliefs and thoughts, to raise the cognitive level of the SL educators in China and to improve the students’ cognition and conduct. The characteristics of pragmatic functions of China English can be concluded as follows: an identification of Asian culture and language, a reflection of globalization and a symbol of China. The thesis discusses how the pragmatic functions are realized in the aspect of the adaptation of context correlates of China EnglishThe significance of the study relies on four parts: through the study of China English in different cases, SL learners can understand the nature of China English to get rid of the so called “dumb English”, and use China English properly. Secondly, the SL educators can plan their teaching methods in a Chinese characteristic way. Thirdly, English learners can have a sense of identity and understand the true meaning of “what ethnic is what worldwide” and boost the cultural communication all over the world. Meanwhile, this thesis analyzes the pragmatic functions of China English from the perspective of adaptation theory, which implies a forceful supplement of a case study on China English in this perspective.Finally, some limitations and future foresight are presented.