2。2 Research in China

A great number of articles on the Cooperative Principle have been published in the academic journals in Chinese pragmatic field, which has attracted great concern。 The research can be pided into three stages: the introduction of the Cooperative Principle; theoretical research of the Cooperative Principle; and application of the Cooperative Principle。

Firstly, that is introduction of the Cooperative Principle。 Hu Zhuanglin, who is one of famous linguists, first introduced the Cooperative Principle to China in his article titled “Pragmatics”。 At that time, Hu mentioned the Cooperative Principle and its four conversational maxims for the first time。 In 1983, another article titled “Gricean Conversational Implicature and Related Discussions” written by Cheng Yumin was regarded as the most comprehensive and loyal introduction of the Cooperative Principle at that time。 Since then, a great number of scholars began to show great interest in the discussions of the Cooperative Principle。 Many other famous scholars like Chen Rong, in 1985; Shen Jiaxuan, in 1986; Xu Shenghuan, in 1996, make great contributions to this field in different ways。 Based on Grice’s logic and Conversation, the meaning of the Cooperative Principle and the content of its four conversational maxims are gradually introduced to China。

Secondly, that is theoretical research of the Cooperative Principle。 The researches made by Chinese scholars can be pided into three types。 They are: commentaries, modification and supplement, and comparative studies。 The scholars aimed to investigate and explain relationships between the Cooperative Principle and its related maxims and the limitations of Cooperative Principle。