A Pragmatic Analysis of Speech Acts and Politeness Strategies in Chinese Aviation Service Dialogues: A Case Study of Minhang Hanyu

Abstract

                 This study aims to 1.) analyze speech acts and politeness strategies in Chinese aviation service dialogues based on the textbook Minhang Hanyu, 2.) examine the relationship between speech acts and politeness strategies in service communication contexts, and 3.) propose practical implications for Chinese language teaching for specific purposes. This research adopts a qualitative approach using content analysis. The data consist of 40 dialogue samples covering four situations: check-in, boarding, onboard service, and problem handling and complaints. The findings indicate that directive speech acts play a significant role in contexts involving procedural operations and the regulation of passenger behavior, while expressive and commissive speech acts tend to occur in service and problem-handling contexts. Regarding politeness strategies, both negative and positive politeness are employed depending on the context. Negative politeness is commonly used in situations involving regulatory constraints, whereas positive politeness is found in contexts aimed at enhancing passenger satisfaction and maintaining interpersonal relationships between service providers and passengers. The findings reflect the dynamic nature of language use across different contexts and can be applied to improve Chinese language teaching in aviation service settings.