| Acknowledgements | 第1-4页 |
| Abstract | 第4-6页 |
| Abstract (Chinese) | 第6-9页 |
| 1. Introduction | 第9-12页 |
| 2. Verschueren’s adaptation theory | 第12-17页 |
| ·Properties of linguistic choices | 第12-13页 |
| ·Variability, negotiability and adaptability | 第13页 |
| ·Four angles of investigation | 第13-15页 |
| ·Adaptation Theory as a theoretical framework | 第15-16页 |
| ·Summary | 第16-17页 |
| 3. Acognitive approach to metonymy, current issues and remaining problems | 第17-30页 |
| ·Acognitive approach to metonymy | 第17-23页 |
| ·Definition of metonymy | 第17-19页 |
| ·Types of metonymy-producing relationships | 第19-23页 |
| ·Summary | 第23页 |
| ·Current issues and major contributions | 第23-26页 |
| ·Remaining problems in the cognitive research on metonymy | 第26-27页 |
| ·T he pragmatic functions of metonymy within the framework of Relevance Theory | 第27-30页 |
| 4. The pragmatic functions of metonymy：an interpretation in the light of the adaptation theory | 第30-58页 |
| ·Producing aesthetic effects | 第31-39页 |
| ·Saving words and carrying rich connotations | 第32-35页 |
| ·Making language more vivid and expressive | 第35-39页 |
| ·Communicating additional messages | 第39-43页 |
| ·Expressing certain feelings and attitudes | 第39-40页 |
| ·Evoking specific associations | 第40-43页 |
| ·Strengthening pragmatic effects | 第43-46页 |
| ·Providing the easiest access | 第43-44页 |
| ·Activating context-dependent meaning | 第44-46页 |
| ·Transmitting social and cultural information | 第46-52页 |
| ·Satisfying particular social needs | 第47-50页 |
| ·Sonveying cultural information | 第50-52页 |
| ·Enhancing communicative efficiency | 第52-56页 |
| ·Maximizing communicative success | 第53-54页 |
| ·Facilitating communication | 第54-56页 |
| ·Summary | 第56-58页 |
| 5. Conclusion and discussion | 第58-62页 |
| Bibliography | 第62-65页 |
