Understanding Chinese Pragmatics

This presentation looks at some key issues in developing L2 learners’ pragmatic competence and L2 pragmatic failures that may cause confusion and conflicts. Citing from Confucian traditions, concepts, and values such as politeness, face, and indirectness, this talk will discuss how Chinese pragmatics is shaped, contextualized, and reflected in ways Chinese L1 and L2 communicate. Discussions will also include how and how much pragmatics should and can be taught in Chinese L2 language classes.