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VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES BÙI THỊ THU TRANG A STUDY ON THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS IN DECEPTION USED BY CHARACTERS IN SOME EPISODES OF “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ VI PHẠM NGUYÊN TẮC HỘI THOẠI NHẰM CHE GIẤU SỰ THẬT CỦA CÁC NHÂN VẬT THÔNG QUA MỘT SỐ TẬP PHIM “NHỮNG BÀ NỘI TRỢ KIỂU MỸ” M.A Minor Thesis Field: English linguistics Code: 60220201 HANOI - 2017 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES FACULTY OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES BÙI THỊ THU TRANG A STUDY ON THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS IN DECEPTION USED BY CHARACTERS IN SOME EPISODES OF “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ VI PHẠM NGUYÊN TẮC HỘI THOẠI NHẰM CHE GIẤU SỰ THẬT CỦA CÁC NHÂN VẬT THÔNG QUA MỘT SỐ TẬP PHIM “NHỮNG BÀ NỘI TRỢ KIỂU MỸ” M.A Minor Thesis Field: English linguistics Code: 60220201 Supervisor: Prof Nguyễn Hòa HANOI - 2017 CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT ***** -I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled A STUDY ON THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS IN DECEPTION USED BY CHARACTERS IN SOME EPISODES OF “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master Degree at University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi and that this thesis has not been submitted to any degree at any other universities or institutions Except where the reference is indicated, no other person‟s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the text of the thesis Hanoi, 2017 Bui Thi Thu Trang Approved by SUPERVISOR Prof Nguyễn Hòa Date: ……………… i ACKNOWLEDGEMENT On completing this study, I owe a profound indebtedness to many people for their invaluable help during the conduct of my research First of all, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to Prof Nguyen Hoa, my supervisor for his useful and critical comments and continual guidance My appreciation is also offered to my lecturers and my friends of Postgraduate studies for their valuable lessons and precious helps Finally, I would like to express my profound gratitude towards my parents and my husband for their continual encouragement and immeasurable support ii ABSTRACT This study aims to explore how American movie series characters violate Grice‟s conversational maxims by means of rhetorical strategies in their daily conversation for the purpose of deception Data were collected from 23 episodes of Season of “Desperate Housewives”, a famous American movie series The writer employed a descriptive qualitative research together with content analysis in analysing and discussing utterances containing the violation of maxims under the light of Grice‟s theory of Cooperative Principle The findings of this study indicated that for the purpose of deception, mostly for hiding the truth, all four conversational maxims were violated Besides, it could be found that violations of these maxims lead to the usage of rhetorical strategies, in which the mostly used by the speaker are Understatement, Ellipsis, Repetition, Topic changed and Overstatement while Rhetorical question, Irony, Ambiguity and Metaphor are not employed much Hopefully, this study would contribute to a better understanding about the realization of conversational maxim violation by means of rhetorical strategies iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PART A: INTRODUCTION Rationale Objective of the Study Research Questions About “Desperate Housewives” Scope of the Study Design of the study PART B: DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 1: THEORETICAL BACKGROUND & LITERATURE REVIEW 1.1 Theoretical Background 1.1.1 Pragmatics 1.1.2 Grice‟s Theory of Cooperative Principles 1.1.3 Grice‟s Theory of Conversational Maxims 1.1.3.1 The Fulfilment of Maxims 1.1.3.2 Non-observance of Conversational Maxims 1.1.3.2.1 Violating 1.1.3.2.2 Flouting 1.1.3.2.3 Opting out 1.1.3.2.4 Infringing a maxim 1.1.3.2.5 Suspending 1.1.4 Violation of Conversational Maxims and Rhetorical Strategies 1.1.4.1 Characteristics of Conversational Maxims Violation 1.1.4.2 Rhetorical Strategies 1.1.5 Discussion on Grice‟s Theory 1.2 Violation of Conversational Maxims and Deception 1.2.1 Definition of Deception 1.2.2 Reasons of Deception 1.3 Related Studies iv CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY 2.1 Research Hypothesis 2.2 Data Source 2.3 Research Approach 2.4 Data Collection Method 2.5 Data Analysis Technique CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION 3.1 Realization of Violation of Conversational Maxims 3.1.1 Occurrence of Violated Conversational Maxims 3.1.2 Distribution of Rhetorical Strategies 3.2 Analysis on Situations Which Violate the Conversational Maxims 3.2.1 Analysis on Situations Which Violate the Maxim of Quality 3.2.2 Analysis on Situations Which Violate the Maxim of Quantity 3.2.3 Analysis on Situations Which Violate the Maxim of Manner 3.2.4 Analysis on Situations Which Violate the Maxim of Relevance 3.3 Discussion PART C: CONCLUSION Recapitulation 1.1 Occurrence of Violated Conversational Maxims 1.2 Realization of Rhetorical strategies Conclusion Implications Limitations and Suggestion for Further Research REFERENCES v LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS Table Table Table Table Table Chart Chart vi PART A: INTRODUCTION Rationale In a conversation, a speaker and a hearer are supposed to respond to each other in their turn and exchange with the needed information that benefits both of them (Crowley & Mitchell, 1994, p.140) The speaker and the hearer are said to have fulfilled the Cooperative Principle (CP) when they manage to achieve a successful conversation According to Grice (1975, p 45), the CP which consists of four maxims are the suggested principles for the speaker and the hearer to show their cooperation by giving appropriate contribution in their conversation Despite Grice's claims of ideal exchange, he suggests that there are cases when these rules may be violated Speakers who violate a maxim cause the hearer not to know the truth and only understand the surface meaning of the speaker‟s words For some purposes, people tend to use deception In connection with the CP, deception occurs when people act like they are following the rules of the CP, while trying to secretly break them The violation of Grice‟s conversational maxims can perform different functions such as creating humour or telling lies This study draws on a pragmatics approach in which deception is considered as one of the products of violating Grice‟s conversational maxims The violations for deception are well pictured in an American movie series on television entitled “Desperate Housewives” The show followed the lives of a group of women as seen through the eyes of a dead neighbour They worked through domestic struggles and family life, facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries In their lives, they often deceive each other for different purposes For all reasons above, in analysing the scripts of the “Desperate Housewives” from episode to episode 23 - the whole Season 6, this study aims to unpack the relationship between deception and the violation of Grice‟s conversational maxims and to discover what violation of maxims occurs for the purpose of deception and how the violation of conversational maxims is realized by rhetorical strategies Objective of the Study Based on the CP, it could be seen that people are naturally directed towards cooperation In other words, the CP describes best practices in a conversation in order to facilitate the process of conversation to be smoother for both the listener and the speaker It suggests that a communication can be a failure when maxims are broken Nevertheless, in reality, sometimes the purpose of the interlocutors is to fail the conversation, or to miscommunicate People could frequently disobey these maxims in order to achieve certain purposes In this case, whether the communication will always breakdown? Thus, this study is carried out specifically to aims at investigating how the CP really plays out in a specific social context Research Questions In accordance with this aim, the research is conducted to find out answers to the following research questions: What violation of conversational maxims occurs for the purpose of deception in Desperate Housewives from Episode to Episode 23, Season 6? How is the violation of conversational maxims realized by rhetorical strategies of characters for the purpose of deception in Desperate Housewives from Episode to Episode 23, Season 6? About “Desperate Housewives” For many purposes, many people tend to make deception and violate Grice‟s Conversational maxims (1975, p 45) when they communicate This is apparent in an American movie series on television entitled “Desperate Housewives” It is an interesting film since it combines elements of drama, comedy, mystery, thriller, farce, soap opera and satire (Desperate Housewives, n.d.) “Desperate Housewives” was aired for eight seasons on ABC, from October 3, 2004 to May 13, 2012 This film was well received by both viewers and critics It won multiple Primetime 68 69 70 618 71 72 73 sorry, I need to get the laundry Irina: Hold one second I have yet to get decent Lynette: I thought I made that bed this morning Irina: I take nap Irina: Why don't you just speak truth? I mean, if Preston was seeing another girl, you would not much care You just don't like me Lynette: That is not true I'm still getting to know you, and I am sure that, over time, I will come to think of you as a valued member of our… Here's what I was looking for Bree: Andrew, you've never shown any interest in that thing Andrew: It's my dad's guitar I'm plenty interested Bree: But you don't even play Andrew: I so I took lessons, okay? Tom: Lynette, you want to take this one? Lynette: I think it's a terrific idea They're not kids anymore They're old enough to make this decision Lynette: Who was that? x x x Irina: Wrong number 74 VII APPENDIX: CONVERSATIONS CONTAINING THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS AND RHETORICAL STRATEGIES DISTRIBUTION Total Epis ode No Utterance QN 58 95 QL Mike: Hey, guess what I found? Susan: Oh My earring I've been looking all over for that Where'd you find it? 619 Mike: Gabby's bathtub drain Susan: Oh Oh Of course Gabby and I w 75 jogging, and then I hugged her, so my earring pro caught in her sports bra, and when she w a bath Hey, you want to have sex? 76 Bree: Who was that woman? Sam: Nobody Someone I used to know Bree: Oh Is everything all right? Sam: I was telling her that it doesn't mak 77 a store this big to run out of a major herb should check out Hudson's market 621 Susan: Gabby, hi Gabby: Hi, Susan I just got back from th supermarket and realized I bought way too much I'm 78 some of it's going to go bad, so I thought, "Who c this to?" And I randomly thought of you Susan: You're afraid that canned peaches an milk are going to go bad? Gabby: Well, it's just, my cupboards are c 79 and you'd be doing me a huge favor Lynette:Actually, she wasn't there I don't w you, but her neighbor said no one has seen h Eddie: Look, I'm sure that must sound lik to you, but this has been going on my whole 80 off on another bender And in a week or two, back, like nothing ever happened Lynette:So we don't need to call anyone? Yo she's okay? Eddie: Yeah It's only a matter of time bef 81 turns up Gabby: And don't worry I'll have your favo waiting Carlos: That's okay, babe We can just go ou and 82 celebrate Gabby: But I make you lasagna every year Carlos: I know, I just don't want you to through all the trouble, that's all I've got VIII APPENDIX: CONVERSATIONS CONTAINING THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS AND RHETORICAL STRATEGIES DISTRIBUTION Total Epis ode QN No Utterance 83 84 622 85 86 Gabby: Hi Patrick: Hi I'm Anthony Angie's brother Eddie: Hey, Mrs Scavo? Lynette: What's with the backpack? Eddie: Yeah, I've been thinking that it might be good if I moved back home for a little while Lynette:Why? Eddie: Irina's dead Your family needs time to deal with that You don't need me hanging around, getting in the way Lynette: I think you should stay Eddie: I want to But my mom's going to be back from her bender any day now, and I should be there Lynette: That's so sweet of you Your mom's lucky to have a son like you x 87 88 89 90 91 Angie: Gabby, I got to hand it to you You did a great job Gabby: Really? You're not just saying that? Angie: Fantastic But would you mind taking the rest back? I'm just trying to watch my weight Lynette: Eddie? Eddie: Mrs Scavo What are you doing here? Lynette: Sweetie, it's about your mom Eddie: Look, I know you're worried she's passed out drunk somewhere in an alley, but you can relax I just spoke to her Lynette: You just spoke to her? Eddie: Yeah, like, a half-hour ago She's at my Uncle Pete's in Florida Gabby: Hey, you with the ponytail! I got to see Nick Bolen Nurse: Are you family? Gabby: Forget about it I'm his wife, Angie Nurse: Really? Well, then who's that blonde lady who has been here? Gabby: His whore? She was here? I'm having her x x x x x whacked! Nurse: No, no I could be wrong Maybe I should get my supervisor Gabby: Do I look like I got time for supervisors? I got sauce on the stove, ziti in the oven, and a mustache that needs to get bleached 92 623 IX x APPENDIX: CONVERSATIONS CONTAINING THE VIOLATION OF CONVERSATIONAL MAXIMS AND RHETORICAL STRATEGIES DISTRIBUTION Total Epis ode No Utterance Gabby: Susan! I'm sorry, I'm just so choked up about you leaving, I just couldn't deal with it 93 Susan: Really? Gabby: You know who else is going to be devastated? Angie Susan: Angie Bolen? 94 Gabby: Yes! She's totally broken up about this You've got to say goodbye Susan: Seriously? I mean, I like her and everything I 95 58 QN x x x x x x just We've had our problems X ... EPISODES OF “DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” NGHIÊN CỨU VỀ VI PHẠM NGUYÊN TẮC HỘI THOẠI NHẰM CHE GIẤU SỰ THẬT CỦA CÁC NHÂN VẬT THÔNG QUA MỘT SỐ TẬP PHIM “NHỮNG BÀ NỘI TRỢ KIỂU MỸ” M.A Minor Thesis Field: English... violations Table 4: Relation of Violated Maxims and Their Reasons Number of violated maxims 31 Violated maxims Quality, Manner Quality, Relevance The table shows the multiple violations of conversational... times all maxims violated, 19 times three maxims violated and 43 times two maxims violated The most outstanding number belongs to the occurrence of violation of Quantity and Quality, 38 times