A Pragmatic Analysis of Flattering in Some Selected Literary Texts

Abstract

This study aims at conducting a pragmatic analysis of speech acts expressing flattering in some selected literary texts (Hamlet). Flattering is used to express encouragement, which is false positive evaluation. Flattering assumes the effect of the listener’s feelings, actions and thoughts via the speech acts offlattering. Flattery is a social phenomenon that treads a fine line between acceptable and unacceptable social behavior and brings forward the strategic element of language use. Although flattery was studied in different areas but pragmatic literature has not addressed the phenomenon, despite its potential to inform the interpretive process participants engage in when evaluating politeness strategies in interactions. A pragmatic methodology was used to collect the data.  The results of this study show how the characters judge an action to be flattery, what (verbal) acts count as flattery, and the functions of flattery in interactions.