On Discourse Coherence of The Dumb Waiter from the Perspective of the Principle

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【Abstract】 The principle of goal is a new theory which can be used to analyze discourse coherence. However, so far, none of the previous scholars has ever used this principle to analyze the coherence of dialogues in drama. Therefore, this essay will try to analyze the dialogue coherence in Harold Pinter’s The dumb waiter by the principle of goal in order to reveal the implication and themes underneath the coherent or incoherent dialogues, and present the significance of discourse coherence and incoherence in literary discourse which are quite different from court discourse.

【Key words】 discourse coherence the principle of goal The Dumb Waiter dialogues

1. Introduction

Discourse coherence has been an important aspect of discourse analysis. Researchers in this field claim that cohesive devices are necessary for achieving discourse coherence.

However, with the further research on discourse coherence, it is admitted that cohesive devices cannot absolutely guarantee the discourse coherence and in some cases, discourse coherence can still be achieved without any special cohesive devices. Professor Liao’s discourse coherence analysis based on the principle of goal is a case in point.

1.1 The principle of goal

According to Liao, the principle of goal means any normal person’s rational speech act is based on a goal—the communicative goal (Liao, 2003, 2004). In Professor Liao’s goal analysis of discourse coherence, he lays aside the discussion of specific cohesive devices, and he takes goal as the only criterion for discourse or text coherence.

Through analyzing interactive discourse—question-and-answer discourse under the guidance of the principle of goal, Liao finds out the standard of discourse coherence of this kind: if the answer is consistent with the goal of the question, the question-and-answer discourse is coherent; if not, the discourse is not coherent.

1.2 The originality of this essay

Liao has applied this principle to the analysis of explanatory discourse or texts, such as court discourse. Yet he has not extended this theory to the study of discourse coherence of other literary forms such as novels, poetry, dramas, and lectures. Therefore, it is necessary and meaningful to try to analyze discourse coherence of other literary texts by Liao’s principle of goal. And this paper will be experimental to do that.

Two typical dialogues from Harold Pinter’s earlier play The Dumb Waiter will be analyzed by the principle of goal in this easy, so that we can figure out the characteristics of discourse coherence of this drama, and dig out the deep meaning beneath the false peace and uncertain reality of Pinter’s dramas.