Abstract:Humour is one of the unique ways for human being to express their feelings.It becomes one of the most important topics in pragmatic study of how the humour system operates. Pragmatic Rules are commonly used in English humour. Drawing conversational examples from Friends, this thesis analyzes the relationship between pragmatic rules and humour in following aspects: Cooperative Principle、Conversational Implicture、Dexis、presupposition、Speech Acts. It aims at a better understanding of English humour in daily conversation as well as helping students cultivate pragmatic sense.

Key words: English humour; Pragmatic rules; Friends

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Cooperative Principle and Humour5

2.1 Quantity

2.2 Quality

2.3 Relation

2.4 Manner

3. Conversational Implicature and Humour6

4. Deixis and Humour.6

5. Presupposition and Humour7

6. Speech Acts and Humour7

7. Conclusion.8

Bibliography.9

Acknowledgements10