| TED speeches explain the profound in simple terms,which have a wide range of audience.At present,few researchers have studied the construction of interpersonal relationships on specific topics of TED speeches from the perspective of engagement resources.Super Speaker aims to spread information and promote positive energy.However,there are few studies on it from engagement resources either.The comparative analysis of engagement resources between them is even less.Based on the theory of engagement resources,this study makes a comparative analysis of similarities and differences of constructing interpersonal relationships in TED speeches and Super Speaker,which reflects cultural differences,and puts forward critical suggestions for Chinese students’ English speech skills.This study adopts the method of combining quantitative analysis with qualitative analysis.15 English and Chinese speeches are selected from TED speeches and Super Speaker respectively.Engagement resources are quantitatively analyzed.Qualitative analysis analyzes the social value differences by associating the distribution features of engagement resources with the contexts.The results show that there are four similarities and two differences in the distribution features of engagement resources in Chinese and English speeches.The distribution features of contraction and expansion resources,disclaim and proclaim resources,concur,endorsement and pronounce resources,and entertain and attribute resources are similar in Chinese and English speeches.The use of those engagement resources serves the purpose and features of speeches,that is,to convey information,persuade others,and positively build interpersonal relationships.Therefore,the distribution features of above engagement resources are the same in Chinese and English speeches.The distribution features of deny and counter resources are different,with deny resources accounting for 44.66% and counter resources accounting for 55.34%in Chinese speeches,deny resources accounting for 58.02%,counter resources accounting for 41.93% in English speeches.The distribution features of acknowledge and distance resources are different.In Chinese speeches,acknowledge resources account for 38.46%,while distance resources account for 61.54%.In English speeches,acknowledge resources account for 74.07%,while distance resources account for25.93%.The differences of above engagement resources show that when constructing interpersonal relationships,English speakers are willing to use negative resources and express their positions even risking the alliance with the audience or the third party,while Chinese speakers tend to use euphemistic expressions to maintain harmonious interpersonal relationships,which are resulted from linguistic factors and social value differences.In terms of language features,English is a hypotactic language,while Chinese is a paratactic language.In terms of social values,English speakers come from countries with individualistic culture,while Chinese speakers are from collectivist culture.English speakers focus on outputting information to the audience,while Chinese speakers tend to force the audience to accept their suggestions.English speakers are more rational,while Chinese speakers are more emotional.When encountering setbacks,English speakers tend to seek help from others,while Chinese speakers tend to depend on their own.This study not only provides a new perspective for the contrastive study of Chinese and English speeches,but also puts forward some suggestions for improving speech skills from a critical perspective. |
