Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.0 A General Introduction 1
1.1 The Rationale of the Present Study 2
1.2 Problems with Previous Studies 5
1.3 The Object of the Present Study 7
1.4 A Description of the Data 9
1.5 Outline of the Thesis 11
Chapter 2 Literature Review 13
2.0 Introduction 13
2.1 Terminological Issue 14
2.2 Approaches to Mitigation 16
2.2 1 The Sociolinguistic Approach 16
2.2.2 The Cross-cultural/Interlanguage Pragmatic Approach 20
2.2 3 The Pragmatic Approach 24
2.2.3.1 The Pragmalinguistic Trend 24
2.2.3.2 The Semanticopragmatic Trend 26
2.2.3.3 The Sociopragmatic Trend 27
2.2.3.4 The Psychopragmatic Trend 30
2.3 Achievements 32
2.4 Summary 33
Chapter 3 The Conceptual Framework 35
3.0 Introduction 35
3.1 Definitions of Mitigation 35
3.1.1 Previous Definitions Revisited 36
3.1.2 A Working Definition of Mitigation 42
3.2 Delimitation of Mitigation 45
3.2.1 Mitigation and Indirectness 45
3.2.2 Mitigation and Politeness/Facework 47
3.3 Theoretical Background 52
3.3.1 Linguistic Adaptation 52
3.3.2 Empathy 55
3.4 Characterization of the Conceptual Framework 64
3.4.1 Mitigating Strategies 64
3.4.2 Contextual Constraints on Mitigation 67
3.4.3 Mitigating Functions 68
3.4.4 Adaptation,Empathy and Mitigation 71
3.5 Summary 74
Chapter 4 Mitigating Strategies 77
4.0 Introduction 77
4.1 Propositional Mitigation 77
4.1.1 Understaters 78
4.1.2 Evidentials 81
4.1.3 Tag Questions 87
4.1.4 Epistemic Modals 90
4.1.5 Subjectivizers 93
4.2 Illocutionary Mitigation 95
4.2.1 Disclaimers 96
4.2.1.1 Intention disclaimers 96
4.2.1.2 Entitlement disclaimers 99
4.2.1.3 Knowledge disclaimers 102
4.2.2 Deprecators 105
4.2.3 Truth Claimers 111
4.2.4 Hesitators 117
4.3 Perlocutionary Mitigation 120
4.3.1 Simple Anticipation 121
4.3.2 Concern Showing 123
4.3.3 Penalty Taking 124
4.3.4 Direct Dissuasion 126
4.4 Summary 128
Chapter 5 Contextual Constraints on Mitigation 129
5.0 Introduction 129
5.1 Mitigation as Empathic Adaptation to Power 131
5.1.1 Power 131
5.1.2 Empathic Adaptation to Power:An Analysis 132
5.2 Mitigation as Empathic Adaptation to Negative Emotions 136
5.2.1 Negative Emotions 136
5.2.2 Empathic Adaptation to Negative Emotions:An Analysis 137
5.3 Mitigation as Empathic Adaptation to Controversies 142
5.3.1 Controversies 142
5.3.2 Empathic Adaptation to Controversies:An Analysis 143
5.4 Mitigation as Empathic Adaptation to Taboo Topics 148
5.4.1 Taboo Topics 148
5.4.2 Empathic Adaptation to Taboo Topics:An Analysis 149
5.5 Mitigation as Empathic Adaptation to Social Values 153
5.5.1 Social Values 153
5.5.2 Empathic Adaptation to Social Values:An Analysis 154
5.6 Summary 159
Chapter 6 Mitigating Functions 161
6.0 Introduction 161
6.1 Interpersonal Functions 163
6.1.1 Image Management 164
6.1.2 Pacifications 170
6.1.3 Solidarity Building 173
6.2 Communicative Functions 177
6.2.1 Invitations 178
6.2.1.1 Elaboration Invitation 178
6.2.1.2 Comment Invitation 182
6.2.1.3 Commitment Invitation 186
6.2.1.4 Negation Invitation 189
6.2.2 Floor Manipulations 193
6.2.2.1 Floor Taking 193
6.2.2.2 Floor Keeping 196
6.2.2.3 Floor Termination 198
6.2.3 Persuasions 200
6.2.3.1 Compliance Enhancement 200
6.2.3.2 Credibility Enhancement 204
6.3 Summary 208
Chapter 7 Conclusion 210
7.0 Introduction 210
7.1 Major Findings 210
7.1.1 Mitigating Strategies 210
7.1.2 Contextual Constraints on Mitigation 212
7.1.3 Mitigating Functions 215
7.1.4 General Findings 218
7.1.5 Empathic Adaptation and Mitigation 219
7.2 Implications 222
7.3 Limitations of the Present Study 223
7.4 Suggestions for Future Research 224
Bibliography 225
Acknowledgements 241