A Pragmatic Study Of Self-Initiated Self-Repair Of Mocking Remarks In Chinese Reality Shows

As a common linguistic phenomenon in daily communication,self-initiated self-repair has engaged much research attention in the field of linguistic studies.It is observed that one type of self-initiated self-repair which deals with utterances for doing jocular mockery frequently occurs in Chinese reality shows.However,to date little scholarly attention has been specifically directed towards this self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks.Explorations on the projecting ways of jocular mockery have not given a depiction of this self-repair practice,either.Therefore,based on the data collected from a range of Chinese reality shows,the present study seeks to depict the use of self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks and uncover the underlying pragmatic motivations.Situated in the theoretical framework of rapport management model,this study aims to first figure out the discursive functions performed by self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks,then reveal the rapport dimensions,discursive strategies and influencing factors of this self-repair practice.Through a detailed analysis of the transcribed data,the study finds that self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks can perform three discursive functions:pre-empting negative interpretation,returning to serious frame and preparing for subsequent mockery.On the basis of these discursive functions,it has been revealed that this self-repair practice can be used to manage rapport dimensions of face,interactional goals,or social rights and obligations.In order to manage corresponding rapport dimensions,specific repair strategies from stylistic domain,non-verbal domain and discourse domain have been utilized.Influencing factors that underlie the use of different repair strategies in self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks in Chinese reality shows are various.People might choose their strategies out of different rapport management orientations such as rapport maintenance,rapport neglect,rapport challenge and rapport enhancement.With regard to contextual variables,the multi-party context,interlocutors’ identity as public figures and the nature of the activity type are noteworthy factors too.In addition,the widely held politeness principle and the convention of self-repair have been deemed to play a role as well.The study has implications for both theoretical explorations and interpersonal communication in practice.On the theoretical side,through examining self-initiated self-repair of mocking remarks in Chinese reality shows,the present study enriches the existing researches on the interactional use of self-initiated self-repair and the projecting means of jocular mockery,especially in the Chinese context.Moreover,this study highlights the proactive use of self-initiated self-repair for achieving intended communicative needs,which can broaden the current research scope of self-repair.Practically speaking,the analysis of this self-repair practice in Chinese reality shows uncovers the intricacy of performing jocular mockery in public,thus offering useful guides for doing jocular mockery and also promoting people’s awareness of making linguistic choices strategically to realize their communicative needs.