Analysis of Disagreement Expression Strategies Based on Minzhuhu Forum

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jmsd.202512409

Author(s)

Jing Zhao

Affiliation(s)

Chongqing Business Vocational College, Chongqing, China

Abstract

Through investigating the disagreement expression strategies based on data from Minzhuhu Forum, guided by Rees-Miller’s taxonomy of disagreement, this paper aims to summarize the strategies currently used in expressing opposite idea and find out the most frequently used one in the context of computer-mediated communication or online communication by calculating the frequency of each strategy, thus to promote understanding of disagreement expression as well as improve harmonious communication. After analyzing the collected data, it is obvious to find out that softened disagreement occupies the highest using percentage compared with aggravated disagreement and disagreement neither softened nor strengthened, because speakers try to take the addressees’ face needs into consideration during online communication. Besides, the strategies adopted are not entirely the same with Rees-Miller’s taxonomy, with some strategies not found, and some new strategies added. In the category of disagreement neither softened nor strengthened, giving personal experience is the most frequently adopted strategy. Using of downtoners is the most commonly occurring strategy among softened disagreement, while in aggravated disagreement expression, rhetorical questions and intensifiers are the two most widely used strategies.

Keywords

Softened Disagreement; Aggravated Disagreement; Disagreement Neither Softened nor Strengthened; Expression Strategy; Online Communication

References

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