| Acknowledgements | 第5-6页 |
| 摘要 | 第6-7页 |
| Abstract | 第7页 |
| 1 Introduction | 第10-13页 |
| 1.1 Research background | 第10-11页 |
| 1.2 Research purpose and significance | 第11-12页 |
| 1.3 Organization of the dissertation | 第12-13页 |
| 2. Literature Review | 第13-24页 |
| 2.1 Definition of DMs | 第13-15页 |
| 2.2 Previous studies on DMs | 第15-22页 |
| 2.2.1 Previous studies on DMs abroad | 第15-20页 |
| 2.2.2 Previous studies on DMs at home | 第20-22页 |
| 2.3 Summary | 第22-24页 |
| 3. Theoretical Framework | 第24-32页 |
| 3.1 Relevance theory | 第24-28页 |
| 3.1.1 Cognitive environment and mutual manifestness | 第24-25页 |
| 3.1.2 Relevance and contextual effects | 第25-26页 |
| 3.1.3 Ostensive-inferential communication | 第26-27页 |
| 3.1.4 Principles of relevance theory | 第27-28页 |
| 3.1.5 Conceptual and procedural meaning | 第28页 |
| 3.2 Relevance-theoretical framework of DMs | 第28-32页 |
| 3.2.1 DMs and cognitive motivations | 第28-29页 |
| 3.2.2 DMs and procedural encoding | 第29-30页 |
| 3.2.3 DMs and contextual effects | 第30-32页 |
| 4. Methodology | 第32-34页 |
| 4.1 Research questions | 第32页 |
| 4.2 Data collection and description | 第32-33页 |
| 4.3 Data analysis | 第33-34页 |
| 5. Results and Discussion | 第34-73页 |
| 5.1 Ostensive-inferential function of DM well | 第35-46页 |
| 5.1.1 DM well as a direct answer to wh-question or other question | 第36-39页 |
| 5.1.2 DM well indicating acceptance or concession | 第39-42页 |
| 5.1.3 DM well indicating explanation | 第42-44页 |
| 5.1.4 DM well indicating persuasion and exhortation | 第44-46页 |
| 5.2 Coherence-achieving function of DM well | 第46-57页 |
| 5.2.1 DM well as conversation initiator | 第46-48页 |
| 5.2.2 DM well to continue the topic | 第48-49页 |
| 5.2.3 DM well to shift the topic | 第49-51页 |
| 5.2.4 DM well to bid the floor | 第51-53页 |
| 5.2.5 DM well to hold the floor | 第53-54页 |
| 5.2.6 DM well to relinquish the floor | 第54-56页 |
| 5.2.7 DM well to act as a filler | 第56-57页 |
| 5.3 Context-restricting function of DM well | 第57-64页 |
| 5.3.1 DM well supporting and strengthening existing assumptions | 第58-59页 |
| 5.3.2 DM well contradicting and eliminating existing assumptions | 第59-62页 |
| 5.3.3 DM well deriving contextual implication | 第62-64页 |
| 5.4 Attitudinal and emotional function of DM well | 第64-73页 |
| 5.4.1 DM well indicating irony | 第65-67页 |
| 5.4.2 DM well indicating pleasure | 第67-68页 |
| 5.4.3 DM well indicating anger and dissatisfaction | 第68-69页 |
| 5.4.4 DM well indicating guilt and repentance | 第69-70页 |
| 5.4.5 DM well indicating surprise | 第70-73页 |
| 6. Conclusion | 第73-76页 |
| 6.1 Major findings | 第73-74页 |
| 6.2 Implications of the study | 第74页 |
| 6.3 Limitations and suggestions | 第74-76页 |
| Bibliography | 第76-81页 |
| Appendix | 第81-82页 |
