Abstract：Deliberate misinterpretation (DMI) refers to a special linguistic phenomenon where in a conversation the listener takes advantage of the ambiguity and diversity of the utterance of the speaker in a particular situation while getting a clear understanding of the speaker’s intended meaning. Generally, the most well-known pragmatic functions of DMI are as follows: 1) to produce a humorous atmosphere; 2) to resist insult and protect fame; 3) to break the deadlock to establish harmonious relationship; 4) to reconcile the conflict and finally 5) to shake off dilemma to avoid adverse consequences.

This study will provide specific conversations in the Big Bang Theory to analyze pragmatic functions of DMI to deepen people’s understanding and to offer them examples that can be quoted. 

Key words: Deliberate Misinterpretation; pragmatic functions; the Big Bang Theory

CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

中文摘要

Chapter One  INTRODUCTION-1

Chapter Two  LITERATURE REVIEW-3

    2.1 Previous Researches-3

    2.2 Limitations-5

Chapter Three  THEORETICAL FOUNDATION-6

    3.1 Deliberate Misinterpretation and the Speech Accommodation Theory-6

    3.2 Deliberate Misinterpretation and the Relevance Theory-7

Chapter Four  PRAGMATIC FUNCTIONS OF DMI BASED ON THE BIG

BANG THEOTY-9

    4.1 To produce a humorous atmosphere-9

    4.2 To resist insult and protecting fame-10

    4.3 To break the deadlock to establish harmonious relationship-12

    4.4 To reconcile the conflict-13

    4.5 To shake off dilemma to avoid adverse consequence-15

Chapter Five CONCLUSION-17

REFRENCES-19