Conversational implicature used by 4 main characters in Extra English series = Hàm ý hội thoại bốn nhân vật chính sử dụng trong bộ phim Extra English. M.A Thesis Linguistics: 822020101

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES  PHẠM THỊ THANH LOAN CONVERSATIONAL IMPLICATURE USED BY FOUR MAIN CHARACTERS IN EXTRA ENGLISH SERIES (Hàm ý hội thoại bốn nhân vật sử dụng phim Extra English) MA THESIS – TYPE Field: English Linguistics Code: 8220201.01 HÀ NỘI – 2018 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES  PHẠM THỊ THANH LOAN CONVERSATIONAL IMPLICATURE USED BY FOUR MAIN CHARACTERS IN EXTRA ENGLISH SERIES (Hàm ý hội thoại bốn nhân vật sử dụng phim Extra English) MA THESIS – TYPE Field: English Linguistics Code: 8220201.01 Supervisor: Nguyễn Thị Minh Tâm, Ph.D HÀ NỘI – 2018 DECLARATION I hereby certify that the minor thesis entitled “Conversational implicature used by four main characters in Extra English series” is the result of my own work in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts of Faculty at Post-graduate Studies, University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University of Hanoi The research has not been submitted to any other universities or institutions Signature i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to my respectable supervisor, Ms Nguyễn Thị Minh Tâm for her stimulating suggestions, critical comments and endless support Also, many thanks go to my parents and all my close friends who always encourage me to keep up my work All their caring and encouragements are valuable mental support for me to strive more and come over all difficulties ii ABSTRACT This research aims to identify the types of maxims flouting performed by four main characters, to explain the strategies and reasons used by four main characters to flout the maxims Moreover, the study is undertaken as an attempt to discover the similarities and differences in their habits of flouting maxims The research employed both quantitative and qualitative method The data were in the form of utterances The source of data was Extra English series The researcher employed some steps to collect the data: watching the episodes and transcribing the equivalent data to pinpoint the frequency, the strategies and functions used There are three results in this study The first result is that all the types of maxim are flouted by four main characters and maxim of relation is flouted the most often The second result is that there are seven strategies and fourteen reasons used to flout the maxims The last result draws comparison of the way different characters flouting the maxims iii TABLES OF CONTENTS DECLARATION i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii LIST OF FIGURES vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Statement of the problem and rationale for the study 1.2 Aims of the study and research questions 1.3 Scope of the study .2 1.4 Significance of the study 1.5 Structure of the thesis CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Pragmatics 2.2 Implicature 2.3 Grice‟s conversational implicature 2.3.1 Conventional implicature 2.3.2 Conversational implicature .7 2.3.3 Cooperative principle 2.3.4 Non-observance of Maxims .9 2.4 Later developments 13 2.5 Horn‟s Q principle and R principle 14 2.6 Relevance theory 15 2.7 Review of previous studies 17 iv CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY 19 3.1 A brief introduction of “Extra English” .19 3.2 Data collection 20 3.3 Data analysis 20 3.4 Analytical framework .21 CHAPTER IV FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS 24 4.1 Findings 24 4.1.1 The flouting of maxims 24 4.1.2 Strategies of maxim flouting performed by main characters 26 4.2 Discussion .27 4.2.1 The flouting of the maxim of quantity 28 4.2.2 The flouting of the maxim of quality 33 4.2.3 The flouting of the maxim of relation 40 4.2.4 The flouting of the maxim of manner 42 4.2.5 Strategies of maxims flouting 45 4.2.6 Reasons of maxim flouting 51 CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS .56 5.1 Conclusions 56 5.1.1 Answer to research question 56 5.1.2 Answer to research question 57 5.2 Implications of the study 59 5.3 Limitations of the study 59 5.4 Suggestions for further study 60 REFERENCES 61 v APPENDIX I Flouting maxim of Relation I Flouting maxim of Quantity VIII Flouting maxim of Quality XIII Flouting maxim of Manner XVIII vi LIST OF FIGURES List of tables No Tables Table 3.1 Types of flouting Grice‟s maxims and strategies Page 21,22,23 used Table 4.1 The number of times flouting maxims by 24 characters Table 4.2 The ways to flout maxims 26 Table 4.3 Flouting maxim of relation 45 Table 4.4 Flouting maxim of quantity 46 Table 4.5 Flouting maxim of manner 48 Table 4.6 Flouting maxim of quality 49 Table 4.7 Reasons of flouting maxims 51,52,53 List of charts No Charts Page Chart 4.1 Tendency of characters flouting the maxims 25 Chart 4.2 The strategies of maxims flouting 27 Chart 4.3 The strategy used to flout maxim of relation 45 Chart 4.4 The strategies used to flout maxim of quantity 47 Chart 4.5 The strategy used to flout maxim of manner 48 Charts 4.6 The strategies used to flout maxim of quality 50 vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION This initial chapter presents the problem and the rationale, the aims, the scope and the significance of the thesis Most importantly, the research questions are identified to work as a guideline for the whole research 1.1 Statement of the problem and rationale for the study Learning a language is much more complicated than understanding the words themselves, when the meanings put in different contexts may create different results Therefore, it is essential for language learners to thoroughly understand utterances under certain circumstances Among various fields of studying discourse analysis, conversational implicature is worth being taken into consideration since the hidden meanings it carries really can result in the misunderstanding of a conversation Extra English series is selected for this research due to three main reasons First, this is a language education television series designed for learning English purposes, which is quite familiar with those who learn English Second, with 30 hilarious, half-hour sitcom programmes conducted in an authentic London setting, the study is expected to represent the way native speakers use language in daily life Last, we can see how laughter is created based on the hidden meanings under the words through funny situations of this sitcom There are certain previous studies conducted about implicature with diverse types of objects; however, with this study, the researcher would like to put one more brick to the study of implicature in a different context Furthermore, since it is observed that Vietnamese learners of English often fail in considering the context when speaking English to foreigners, which results in some improper replies, this study is expected to contribute to understanding language in pragmatics With the aforementioned reasons, the researcher is encouraged to conduct a study on wearing? explanation Nick: I am a toreador 16 11 20:39 Nick: Where is being irrelevant to give clear Bridget going? explanation Annie: Enrique Igleslas is sitting over there at that table 17 13 20:20 Annie: Hector, where 18 are you? Hector: Annie, listen being irrelevant to convince Annie: I’m glad we’re not getting others being irrelevant to express feeling married (anger) 19 13 20:55 Annie: What or who is being irrelevant to convince more important than others me? Hector: Annie, today was difficult 20 15 1:46 Annie: What is it? Are being irrelevant to maintain self you scared of needles? esteem Hector: Who, me? Don’t be silly But it was a very painful splinter 21 17 4:03 Bridget: Your results are arriving today? 22 Annie: What have IV being irrelevant - to avoid the answer you done to Teddy? Bridget: Brad Pitt is much more - to give handsome than explanation Teddy 23 17 5:36 Bridget: Well, Nick being irrelevant give explanation Open it Nick: Why me? Bridget: Nails 24 17 19:10 Annie: Where is the post? being irrelevant to convince others Bridget: Calm down 25 19 3:39 Annie: Nick, why being irrelevant to show off you always use our number? Nick: You‟re so…, so… Bridget: Idiotic? Stupid? Vain? Choose one Nick: I have just got an audition for the new Ricky Chung film 26 19 21:53 Ricky: Nick, how are you feeling? being irrelevant to express feeling (surprise) Nick: Ricky! 27 23 5:39 Annie: Nick, is there no food in your V being irrelevant stress something apartment? Nick: the truth, the whole truth 28 24 11:16 Hector: Captain being irrelevant to maintain self- Hardy, what are we esteem going to do? Nick: It will be Ok 29 24 21:19 Eunice: Hello, girls Have you had a nice being irrelevant to express feeling (anger) time? Annie: What happened here? 30 29 1:45 Bridget: Hello, Nick Have you lost a 31 being irrelevant to give explanation button? Nick: Hi, Bridget I’m just practicing Bridget: Practising what? Nick: I’m going to join the SAS 32 29 6:25 Annie: When did the lads start wearing being irrelevant to give explanation ladies‟ perfume? Hector: Oh, I forgot Eunice was there too 33 29 13:46 Hector: What is a survival test? Nick: You’ll see VI being irrelevant to save time 34 30 16:50 Bridget: Oh being irrelevant give explanation Nick: What “oh”? Bridget: I knowSuperman 35 30 18:20 Bridget: Well, who are being irrelevant to convince the others? others Nick: What you mean? Bridget: You said I was one of the cleverest, the most beautiful girls you know Nick: Bridget! You can this job 36 30 21:12 Bridget: Annie, where did you find him? Annie: silent Nick: yeah, but he doesn’t wear glasses, though, does he? VII being irrelevant to show off Flouting maxim of Quantity No Episode Time Dialogue Strategy Reason 4:15 Nick: Nice car, eh? giving too much to show off Hector: I have this information car at home 2:44 Hector: Annie, what giving too little to avoid the is a taxidermist? information answer Hector: Nick, What giving too little to avoid the is a taxidermist? information answer Nick: Hector’s giving too little to express eggs, Bridget Is he information feeling Annie: it’s …… never mind 3 5:00 Nick: Oh, well, it’s… never mind 4 2:21 crazy? 20:36 (jealousy) Howard: what is he? giving too much to avoid the Is your boyfriend or information answer Chrissy: So Hector, giving too little to avoid the are you and Annie information answer something? Bridget: he is….a kind and clever and lovely man, which is something that you will never, ever be 12:25 dating? VIII Hector: Well, … 8:08 Bridget: So where giving too little to maintain does this piece go? information self-esteem Nick: (silent) 2:36 Annie: Did you have giving too much a good day at work? to show off information Bridget: Oh, I’m so tired Training with the England football team this morning Oh those boysBut so cheeky! they really know what they’re talking about 10 9:17 Annie: Nick, where giving too much to cover are they? I must take information something Annie: Are you giving too much to give sure? It can‟t be information explanation giving too little to express them to the animal sanctuary Nick: We’re been having a lovely time, haven’t we, my friends? 10 11 20:07 Bridget: This is Spain Well, he is from Spain 11 12 16:49 Hector: Are you IX cross about information feeling (anger) Hector: Well, she giving too little to express says “How many information feeling something? Annie: Why you think that? 12 13 1:41 bridesmaids is Annie (surprise) having? Ten or twelve?” Annie: ten or twelve? 13 13 7:03 Bridget: Do you like giving too much to give it, Nick? information explanation Hector: You don‟t giving too little to be cynical think she wants to information Nick: Well, it wouldn’t suit me 14 13 10:20 get married too, you? Nick: Who to? 15 14 6:59 Hector‟s mom: Do giving too much to avoid you like it? information dissatisfying Hector: It’s… others it’s… unusual 16 16 9:14 Nick: Because she‟s giving too much to convince going to meet information someone George Ducas Hector: Where? Nick: New York X Bridget: New York? Nick: She’ll be back tomorrow 17 18 17 17 8:26 12:42 Nick: Oh, yeah! I giving too little to stress am the man information something Annie: May be I’ve giving too much to express passed Maybe I’ve information feeling (confusion and failed anxiety) 19 17 19:46 Bridget: Can you giving too much repair it? information to be cynical Postman: No Bridget: You can’t repair it? over Postman: No Bridget: You don’t know how to? Postman: No 20 21 22 19 20 23 12:19 10:08 4:58 Bridget: I’m me, giving too much to stress silly information something Bridget: Well, you giving too little to save time take my things information Annie: you will tell giving too much the truth, the whole information to stress something truth and nothing but the truth 23 23 8:37 Annie: And before, giving too little to cover have you ever information something fancied Bridget? XI Hector: Well, … 24 24 1:24 Bridget: We‟re giving too much to give having a party? information explanation Marty: And who giving too much to show off we have here? information What shall I wear? Annie: It’s a street party We’re having in the street to protest and stop the cars 25 27 9:02 Annie: Hello My name is Annie I’m Hector’s girlfriend and I love Charley, my dog 26 29 2:35 Annie: Don‟t you giving too much need special information training? to make fun of Nick: (silent) others Bridget: It’s Ok He was in the Scouts 27 29 21:56 Annie: It‟s so cold giving too much Hector: I’ll warm information you up Annie: Did somebody say something? XII to show love Flouting maxim of Quality No Episode Time Dialogue Strategy Reason of maxim flouting 1 14:00 Bridget: Isn‟t he sarcasm wonderful? to express feeling (jealousy) Nick: wonderful 21:33 Hector: Oh, Annie The sarcasm dog is in the oven to express feeling (anger) Annie: The oven? Hector: Yes Nick is a good English teacher Bridget: Yes, a very good English teacher 7:73 Bridget: That was Howard Hector, Annie, Nick: sarcasm to make humor hyperbole to stress No 7:44 Bridget: What shall I wear? I have nothing to something wear 7 19:59 Bridget: All the films hyperbole to express feeling (anger) are rubbish at the moment anyway 8 7:22 Nick: I laugh at sarcasm instructions to make fun of others Bridget: Oh, That was clever 10:42 Annie: These shelves are for mice XIII hyperbole to be cynical 10 13: 18 Bridget: I bet she sings metaphor others like a toad 11 19:36 to make fun of Hector: Annie, she metaphor to convince someone dances like a rhinoceros 12 23:23 Hector: Annie, I will hyperbole to show love buy you a million shelves 13 1:43 Annie: What are you sarcasm to make fun of doing? others Nick: nothing Annie: Well, stand up then Nick: I can‟t Annie: Why not? Nick: Erm… Annie: right, I‟m coming over Nick:……… Ok Annie: (laughing) Oh, nice outfit, Nick 14 4:22 15 16 metaphor to show love puppykins metaphor to show love Nick: Well, guess what? sarcasm to make humor Hector: Hi, sugar plum Annie: 16 6:11 Hi, snuggly Hector, Annie: She‟s going to tell George Ducas, the Hollywood director, all about you XIV Nick: Yeah! How you know? Hector: Lucky guess 17 17 7:11 Nick: Let‟s it Or hyperbole to show off metaphor to express feeling don‟t know how to it? Hector: I could it with my eyes closed 18 18 1:53 Nick: She’s got eyes (anger) and reptile skin 19 18 12:36 Bridget: If you don’t hyperbole to express feeling (anger) get off by the time I count to three, I will cut off your ears 20 21 22 25 22:54 7:06 Bridget: Has the cat got metaphor to make fun of your tongue? others Marty: Have we met? hyperbole to stress something Bridget: Well, only about one hundred times 22 25 9:44 Annie: Hi, Bridget I‟m metaphor feeding Hector to give explanation cornflakes Bridget: Really? And why? Annie: He’s a turkey 23 25 10:13 Annie: He’s a veal calf metaphor to give explanation 24 25 20:05 Hector: Yeah That looks much better XV sarcasm to express feeling (anger) 25 26 7:12 Annie: With a mouth hyperbole that big, I’m surprised to make fun of others he didn’t fall in 26 26 12:13 Hector: Somebody has sarcasm to make humor metaphor to maintain self stolen Bernard 27 29 19:10 Nick: What‟s that on your collar? esteem Hector: Paint Nick: Pink paint That‟s nice 28 29 19:30 Nick: You are dead hyperbole to stress something XVI Flouting maxim of Manner No Episode Time Dialogue 6:27 Strategy Reason Bridget: So what‟s being to maintain self- Eunice Mountain like? obscure esteem Nick: You know, not bad being Hector: Are you in obscure trouble? Nick: Probably 5:43 Annie: You want your being tights back? obscure to show off Bridget: They are Versace 14 Mrs Romero: What being to stress you know? You are not obscure something from a good family Annie: There’s nothing wrong with my family 16 8:43 Bridget: What‟s going being on? (She wants to obscure know why the boy appears there.) Nick: Victoria’s au pair has run off with the postman Bridget: So? Nick: So she‟s got no one to look after Lucas XVII cover something Annie: Why can‟t she look after her own son? Nick: Because she‟s going to meet George Ducas Hector: Where? Nick: New York 18 2:38 Hector: What is a to cover traffic warden? something Nick: Someone who being spoils your day obscure Annie: A traffic warden is someone being who stops stupid obscure people parking their stupid cars in stupid places 28 10:10 Hector: Isn‟t it the being to avoid same things? obscure dissatisfying Annie: Not quite (She means “No”) XVIII others