Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 A Brief Review of Pride and Prejudice-1

1.2 Definition of Ironic Indirect Speech Act-1

1.3 Reasons for the Study-2

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-2

Chapter Two Literature review-4

2.1 Study on Ironic Speech Act Based on Cooperative Principle-4

2.2 Study on Ironic Indirect Speech Act Based on Politeness Principle-4

2.3 Summary-4

Chapter Three Theoretical Framework-6

3.1 Verschueren’s Adaptation Theory-6

3.2 Contextual Correlates of Adaptability-6

Chapter Four Ironic Indirect Speech Act in Pride and Prejudice-7

4.1 Adapting to Physical World-7

4.1.1 Adapting to Time-7

4.1.2 Adapting to Space-8

4.2 Adapting to Mental World-9

4.3 Adapting to Social World-11

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

5.1 Findings-12

5.2 Limitations-12

References-13

Abstract

The previous scholars mainly study ironic indirect speech act based on Cooperative Principle and Politeness Principle. They seldom study it from the perspective of Adaptation. And this thesis intend to make a comprehensive analysis of ironic indirect speech act in Pride and Prejudice based on Adaptation Theory. In order to understand ironic indirect speech act, the explanation should adapt to communicators’ physical, mental and social worlds. This thesis deepens the readers’ understanding of ironic indirect speech act, and helps readers to appreciate literary works.

Keywords:Pride and Prejudice  irony indirect speech act  Adaptation theory