A Study Of Conflict Talk Betweens Couples From The Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

Conflict arises when people have different views on one subject.However,conflict occurs not only between friends,but also between a husband and a wife.This thesis is based on Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory and the sample of the first five sets from American drama "Modern Family".The author uses the qualitative method to analyze the reasons that lead to the conflict talk between a husband and a wife and the pragmatic functions produced by the conflict talk between couples.The author also provides some pragmatic strategies to cope with the problems.The results show that the main reasons for the conflict talk between a husband and a wife are that there is no adaptation to the context,and it is not realized from the physical world,social world and mental world.The pragmatic function produced by the conflict talk between couples,including three aspects.They are to relieve one’s negative emotions,to maintain one’s face and to seek agreement.The strategies include three aspects.They are submission,focus-shifting,compromise,silence,withdrawal,hedges.This study is beneficial not only to a husband and a wife to promote the relationship,and to build a harmonious family,but also to others to have a comprehensive understanding of Adaptation Theory and the conflict talk.