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Article published In:
Pragmatics
Vol. 33:4 (2023) ► pp.618–640

“Let’s … together”

Rapport management in Chinese directive public signs

ORCID logo | Nanjing University
| Nanjing University

This study, drawing on a modified version of Spencer-Oatey’s Rapport Management Model (2008), attempts to probe into the underexplored phenomenon of apparent rapport management in Chinese directive public signs in terms of face, sociality rights and obligations, interests, and interactional goals. Based on the analysis of data collected from four cities in China, this study demonstrates how some Chinese producers of directive public signs make varying and various discursive efforts to enhance rapport with the general public. It is argued that this “personalization” characteristic of Chinese directive public signs suggests their producers’ attempt at doing rapport with the public. This research, while extending the scope of discussion on rapport management from the interpersonal to the public sphere, might serve to explain why some Chinese directive public signs (directives in particular) are not terse.

Keywords: public signs (gongshiyu), rapport management, politeness, Chinese
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Research background
  • 3.The framework
  • 4.Methodology
    • 4.1Research questions
    • 4.2Data collection
    • 4.3Data analysis
  • 5.Rapport management in Chinese directive public signs
    • 5.1Orientations of rapport management
    • 5.2Aspects of rapport maintenance or enhancement
      • 5.2.1Face management
      • 5.2.2Sociality rights and obligations
      • 5.2.3Management of interests
      • 5.2.4Management of interactional goals
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 17 January 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.21003.sun
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