How to Say 'No' in Chinese: A Pragmatic Study of Refusal Strategies in Five TV Series

Abstract

This paper analyzed situations in which refusal will occur and examined the refusal strategies and corresponding linguistic forms that can be employed to react to various refusal situations in Chinese culture. Since refusal is an act in response to other acts, acts that prompt refusals play an important role in the choices of refusal strategies. Therefore, this paper categorizes situations of refusal according to the initiating acts of refusal. Based on 160 video clips collected from five television series, this paper found that refusal is initiated by four types of acts: request, offer, invitation, and suggestion. Each type can be subcategorized in terms of their different communicative functions. The study can facilitate the instruction of refusal to learners of Chinese from multiple perspectives.

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