| ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS | 第5-6页 |
| ABSTRACT | 第6-7页 |
| 摘要 | 第8-13页 |
| LIST OF TABLES | 第13-14页 |
| CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION | 第14-22页 |
| 1.1 Introduction | 第14页 |
| 1.2 The object of the study | 第14-17页 |
| 1.3 The rationale of the study | 第17-18页 |
| 1.4 The objective of the study | 第18-19页 |
| 1.5 The methodology of the study | 第19-20页 |
| 1.6 The organization of the study | 第20-22页 |
| CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW | 第22-36页 |
| 2.1 Introduction | 第22页 |
| 2.2 Conceptualization | 第22-25页 |
| 2.2.1 Definition of conflict/conflict talk | 第22-24页 |
| 2.2.2 Dual character of conflict talk | 第24页 |
| 2.2.3 Two responses when conflict talk arises | 第24-25页 |
| 2.3 Previous studies on conflict talk | 第25-33页 |
| 2.3.1 Initiating conflict talk | 第25-26页 |
| 2.3.2 Managing conflict talk | 第26-30页 |
| 2.3.3 Terminating conflict talk | 第30-31页 |
| 2.3.4 Conflict talk and power | 第31-32页 |
| 2.3.5 Explanation of conflict talk | 第32-33页 |
| 2.4 Problems with the existing studies | 第33-36页 |
| CHAPTER THREE THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK | 第36-46页 |
| 3.1 Introduction | 第36页 |
| 3.2 Definitions of mitigation and mitigating strategies | 第36-39页 |
| 3.2.1 A clarification of the notions in our study | 第36-38页 |
| 3.2.2 The working definitions of mitigation and mitigating strategies | 第38页 |
| 3.2.3 Mitigation versus resolution/termination of conflict talk | 第38-39页 |
| 3.3 A sketch of the core ideas in Adaptation Theory | 第39-43页 |
| 3.3.1 A process of choice-making | 第39-40页 |
| 3.3.2 Three key features of language | 第40-41页 |
| 3.3.3 Four angles of investigation for linguistic phenomena | 第41-43页 |
| 3.4 Characterization of the conceptual framework | 第43-46页 |
| 3.4.1 Mitigating strategies as a result of conscious linguistic choices | 第43-44页 |
| 3.4.2 Mitigating strategies as products of adaptation | 第44-45页 |
| 3.4.3 Mitigating strategies as adaptation to communicative needs | 第45-46页 |
| CHAPTER FOUR A GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF MITIGATING STRATEGIES | 第46-74页 |
| 4.1 Introduction | 第46页 |
| 4.2 A general classification of the mitigating strategies | 第46-68页 |
| 4.2.1 Use of utterances to contain the conflict | 第46-49页 |
| 4.2.2 Disclaiming one's intention | 第49-51页 |
| 4.2.3 Expression of denial | 第51-52页 |
| 4.2.4 Offering justification or explanation | 第52-53页 |
| 4.2.5 Offering way out | 第53-55页 |
| 4.2.6 Expression of (partial) concession | 第55-59页 |
| 4.2.7 Claiming common ground | 第59-63页 |
| 4.2.8 Use of address terms | 第63-66页 |
| 4.2.9 Combined devices | 第66-68页 |
| 4.3 Types of mitigating strategies from two overall perspectives | 第68-70页 |
| 4.3.1 From the perspective of the initiator | 第68-69页 |
| 4.3.2 From the perspective of the targeted object | 第69-70页 |
| 4.4 Frequency of occurrence | 第70-71页 |
| 4.5 Summary | 第71-74页 |
| CHAPTER FIVE INTERPERSONAL FUNCTIONS OF MITIGATING STRATEGIES | 第74-92页 |
| 5.1 Introduction | 第74-75页 |
| 5.2 Settling interpersonal conflicts | 第75-82页 |
| 5.2.1 Weakening face threatening degree or identity attack | 第75-78页 |
| 5.2.2 Offering chances to negotiate or resolve the conflict | 第78-80页 |
| 5.2.3 Implementing persuasion | 第80-82页 |
| 5.3 Restoring/enhancing interpersonal harmony | 第82-89页 |
| 5.3.1 Highlighting deference | 第82-84页 |
| 5.3.2 Building solidarity | 第84-87页 |
| 5.3.3 Pacifications | 第87-89页 |
| 5.4 Summary | 第89-92页 |
| CHAPTER SIX MITIGATIING STRATEGIES AS REALIZATIONS OF ADAPTATION | 第92-112页 |
| 6.1 Introduction | 第92页 |
| 6.2 Circumstances giving rise to the use of mitigating strategies | 第92-100页 |
| 6.2.1 From the perspective of those with less power | 第93-96页 |
| 6.2.2 From the perspective of those with greater power | 第96-100页 |
| 6.2.3 Summing up | 第100页 |
| 6.3 Mitigating strategies as realizations of adaptation | 第100-111页 |
| 6.3.1 Unequal power relations in Chinese official settings | 第100-101页 |
| 6.3.2 Adaptation to superior-subordinate relations | 第101-110页 |
| 6.3.3 Summing up | 第110-111页 |
| 6.4 Summary | 第111-112页 |
| CHAPTER SEVEN CONCLUSION | 第112-118页 |
| 7.1 Introduction | 第112页 |
| 7.2 Major findings of the study | 第112-114页 |
| 7.3 Implications | 第114-115页 |
| 7.4 Limitations of the study | 第115-116页 |
| 7.5 Suggestions for further study | 第116-118页 |
| REFERENCES | 第118-122页 |
