| 摘要 | 第1-5页 |
| Abstract | 第5-7页 |
| Contents | 第7-9页 |
| Chapter One Introduction | 第9-13页 |
| ·Research Background | 第9-10页 |
| ·Purpose of the Study | 第10页 |
| ·Significance of the Study | 第10-11页 |
| ·Research Questions | 第11页 |
| ·Methodology | 第11页 |
| ·Organization of the Thesis | 第11-13页 |
| Chapter Two Literature Review | 第13-25页 |
| ·Previous Studies on Understatement | 第13-22页 |
| ·Studies on Friends | 第22-25页 |
| Chapter Three Theoretical Framework | 第25-38页 |
| ·Philosophical Origin of Adaptation Theory | 第25-26页 |
| ·Choice-making Process of Language Use | 第26-27页 |
| ·Three Properties of Language | 第27-29页 |
| ·Four Angles of Adaptation Theory in This Study | 第29-35页 |
| ·A Working Model of the Adaptation of Understatement | 第35-38页 |
| Chapter Four Analysis of Understatement in Friends in the Light of the Framework of Adaptation Theory | 第38-55页 |
| ·Examples of Understatement in Friends | 第39-46页 |
| ·Understatement as Adaptation to the Communicative Context in Friends | 第46-53页 |
| ·Summary | 第53-55页 |
| Chapter Five Pragmatic Effect of Understatement in Friends | 第55-64页 |
| ·Maintaining the Face Management Effects | 第55-57页 |
| ·Avoiding Conflict | 第57-59页 |
| ·Withholding Information | 第59-61页 |
| ·Dodging Responsibility | 第61-62页 |
| ·Summary | 第62-64页 |
| Chapter Six Conclusion | 第64-67页 |
| ·Major Findings | 第64-66页 |
| ·Limitations and Suggestions | 第66-67页 |
| Bibliography | 第67-69页 |
| Acknowledgements | 第69-70页 |
| About the Author | 第70页 |
