Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory
This paper investigates how the phenomenon of fuzzy language, such as 'many' in 'Mary has many friends', can be explained by Relevance Theory (RT, Sperber and Wilson, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, Wilson and Sperber 2002). It is concluded that the use of fuzzy language conforms with op...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
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Akadmiai Kiad
2006
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35534 |
| _version_ | 1848754522731577344 |
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| author | Liu, C. Zhang, Grace |
| author_facet | Liu, C. Zhang, Grace |
| author_sort | Liu, C. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This paper investigates how the phenomenon of fuzzy language, such as 'many' in 'Mary has many friends', can be explained by Relevance Theory (RT, Sperber and Wilson, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, Wilson and Sperber 2002). It is concluded that the use of fuzzy language conforms with optimal relevance in that it can achieve the greatest positive effect with the least processing effort. It is the communicators themselves who decide whether or not optimal relevance is achieved, rather than the language form (fuzzy or non-fuzzy) used. People can skillfully adjust the deployment of different language forms or choose appropriate interpretations to suit different situations and their communication needs. However, there are two challenges to RT: a. to extend its theory from individual relevance to group relevance; b. to embrace cultural considerations (because when relevance principles and cultural protocols are in conflict, the latter tends to prevail). |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:41:45Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-35534 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:41:45Z |
| publishDate | 2006 |
| publisher | Akadmiai Kiad |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-355342017-09-13T15:55:19Z Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory Liu, C. Zhang, Grace RT Chinese xiehouyu translation (Chinese and English) translations Relevance Theory linguistics This paper investigates how the phenomenon of fuzzy language, such as 'many' in 'Mary has many friends', can be explained by Relevance Theory (RT, Sperber and Wilson, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, Wilson and Sperber 2002). It is concluded that the use of fuzzy language conforms with optimal relevance in that it can achieve the greatest positive effect with the least processing effort. It is the communicators themselves who decide whether or not optimal relevance is achieved, rather than the language form (fuzzy or non-fuzzy) used. People can skillfully adjust the deployment of different language forms or choose appropriate interpretations to suit different situations and their communication needs. However, there are two challenges to RT: a. to extend its theory from individual relevance to group relevance; b. to embrace cultural considerations (because when relevance principles and cultural protocols are in conflict, the latter tends to prevail). 2006 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35534 10.1556/Acr.7.2006.1.4 Akadmiai Kiad fulltext |
| spellingShingle | RT Chinese xiehouyu translation (Chinese and English) translations Relevance Theory linguistics Liu, C. Zhang, Grace Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title | Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title_full | Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title_fullStr | Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title_full_unstemmed | Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title_short | Translation of Chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| title_sort | translation of chinese xiehouyu (sayings) and relevance theory |
| topic | RT Chinese xiehouyu translation (Chinese and English) translations Relevance Theory linguistics |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/35534 |