화행의 불확실성

Uncertainty of Speech Acts

This paper attempts to examine how uncertainty is employed in interaction, to develop the concept of ambivalence, and to consider the implication for cross-cultural interaction. Although the uncertainty the speaker creates in ambivalence can be a useful strategy to achieve a particular purpose, it may prevent the addressee from understanding the speaker’s intent properly. Especially when we interact with people who may have different norms or conventions in how to use ambivalence, it may be a major cause of misunderstanding. Cross-cultural communication may be difficult, but I think that it is possible to avoid conflict or to improve tolerance if we are sufficiently aware of the possible causes of misunderstanding.