Dissing In African American Vernacular English: A Pragmatic Perspective On Impoliteness

As a language phenomenon originated in African American vernacular English,dissing refers to the intentional or unintentional use of language to show disrespect or disparage for interlocutors,which exerts positive as well as negative influence on interaction.In dissing,many aspects of interlocutors are involved,including their physical features and non-physical features.However,there are few recorded researches studying on dissing,since it is an oral form of language.Among them,the majority focuses on studying it as Diss Track in hip-hop music,rather than as a language phenomenon in daily life.This thesis is a qualitative investigation of dissing with the data collected from TV series and books,especially from the African American TV series Everybody Hates Chris.On the basis of Bousfield’s(2008)impoliteness theory and Spencer-Oatey’s(2008)rapport management theory,this thesis,aiming at exploring the influence of impoliteness in dissing exerting on interaction,focuses on three respects,including the classifications of dissing,the realization of impoliteness in dissing,and the positive and negative influence of impoliteness in dissing.Dissing,in this thesis,is classified into two main categories,including the dissing on direct object,and the dissing on indirect object.Moreover,these main categories are further divided into four sub-types,that is,the dissing on physical features and non-physical features of direct object,and the dissing on physical features and non-physical features of indirect object.As to the realization of impoliteness in dissing,this thesis,under the instruction of Bousfield’s(2008)impoliteness tactics,analyzes the strategies applied in on-record impoliteness in dissing,off-record impoliteness in dissing,and the combined strategies realizing impoliteness in dissing.In addition,this thesis also throws light on the influence of impoliteness in dissing mirrored through Spencer-Oatey’s(2008)rapport management theory.On the one hand,impoliteness in dissing can exert negative influence,which mainly lies on the obstruction on interactions,including attacking face and sociality rights of interlocutors,as well as the impediment of achieving certain interactional goals.On the other hand,impoliteness in dissing also exerts positive influence,mainly demonstrating that it is a disguise of politeness which makes for smoothing interaction.As for interlocutors,for one thing,dissing is benefit for them to express their ideas or feelings.For another thing,it is a way to show intimacy between each other.As for audience,dissing is conducive to create an entertaining and humorous environment for them.Moreover,this positive influence leads to certain contextual function even in the occasion of formal political debating.