Abstract:The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is an excellent science fiction, and welcomed by many people. This paper analyzes the humorous effects of some conversations in “the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” based on the Cooperation Principles proposed by Herbert Paul Grice. There are four maxims in the cooperative principle, including Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner. By obeying these maxims, people can communicate with others smoothly. Sometimes, people will violate a certain maxim consciously to achieve a particular purpose, such as creating a humorous effect. And by analyzing the conversations in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy , this paper shows an interpretation of these humorous conversations from the perspective of the Cooperative Principle may have a better understanding of the violation of the maxims of the CP in authentic language materials and the generation of the humorous effects.

Key words: violation of the Cooperative Principle, humor，The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Contents

摘要

Abstract

Introduction-1

1. Four Maxims In The Cooperative Principle-2

2. Violation Of the Cooperative Principle-3

2.1 the Violation Of The Maxim Of Quantity -3

2.2 the Violation Of The Maxim Of Quality-4

2.3 the Violation Of The Maxim Of Relation-6

2.4 the Violation Of Maxim Of Manner-7

Conclusion-9

Works Cited-10

Bibliography-11

Acknowledgements-12