��Ŀ䛡� Chapter I Introduction 1.1Background and Significance ofa Systematic Study of Nizhidao 1.2Hypotheses and Research Questions 1.3TheoreticalFramework 1.3.1 Conversation Analysis 13.2 Geis Model of Speech Aets and Social Actions 1.3.3 Relevance Theory 1.3.4Thcory ofAdaptation 1.4Terminological Diversity and Working Definition 1.4.1Terminological Diversity 1.4.2Working Definition 1.5Organization ofThis Book Chapter II Review of Literature 2.1StudiesAbroad 2.1.1 Previous Approaches to DMs 2.1.2 Semantic Studies of DMs 2.1.3Studies of the PositionsofDMs 2.1.4Pragmatie Studies of DMs 2.1.5Prosodic Studics of DMs 2.1.6Studies of You Know 2.2Studies at Home 2.2.1 Overview 2.2.2 Representative Work 2.2.3 Studies of Ni zhidao 2.3Summary Chapter Ill Methodology 3.1Research Design 3.2Introduction to the Corpus of the Study 3.2.1Rationale for Seleetion of Media Interview Conversations as Research Data:Spontaneousand Institutional 3.2.2The Corpus Data Per Se and the Process of the Establishment of the Corpus 3.2.3Participants of the Media Interviews in the Corpus 3.3Aspects Concerning Data Analysis 3.3.1 Rationale for Analysis of the Prosodic Featurcs of Ni zhidao 3.3.2 Tools Used for This Study 3.3.3Analytical Framework 3.3.4Quantitative Analysisws Oualitative Analysis 3.3.5Defining��Uteranceand Classifieation of Ni zhidao Based on Utteranee Positions 3.3.6Exclusion of the Non-DM Usage of Ni zhidao 3.4Summary ChapterIV Ouantitative Analysis 4.1VariantsandVariant Distributionin the Data 4.2Distribution of Variants in Utterances 4.2.1Distribution of Variants Based on Utterance Positions 4.2.2Distribution Based on Variants 4.2.3Discussion 4.3ProsodicAnalysis 4.3.1 Duration and Speeeh Rate 4.3.2Pause 4.3.3Piteh 4.3.4Intensity 4.3.5 Relationship Between the Prosodic Features 4.4Summary ChapterV Qualitative Analysis 5.1 Semantics of Ni zhidao 5.2Modes of Usage of Ni zhidao Based on lts Incexical Functions 5.2.1 Sl-Targeted Mode 5.2.2S2-Targeted Mode 5.2.3Sl-and S2-Targeted Modes 5.2.4Inserted Mode 5.3Pragmatic Functions of Ni zhidao 5.3.1Textual Funetions 5.3.2Interpersonal Functions 5.4Interrelationship Between theProsodic Features,theSemantics,the Utterance Positions,and the Pragmatic Functionsof Ni zhidao 5.4.1 The Relationship Between the Prosodic Features and the Utterance Positions of Ni zhidao 5.4.2 The Relationship Between the Prosodic Features and the Semantics of Ni zhidao 5.4.3 The Relationship Between the Prosodic Features and the Pragmatic Functions of Ni zhidao 5.5Summary Chapter VI Conelusion 6.1Major Research Findings 6.1.1Findings Concerning the Utteranee Distribution of Ni zhidao 6.1.2 Findings Concerning the Prosodic Features of Ni zhidao 6.1.3 Findings Concerning the Semantic Status of Ni zhidao 6.1.4 Findings Concerning the Pragmatic Functions of Ni zhidao 6.1.5 Findings Concerning the Interrelationship Between the Prosodic Features,theSemantics,the Utterance Positions and the Pragmatic Functions of Ni zhidao 6.2 Implications 6.3 Limitations and Further Research References Appendix