How Interpersonal Meaning Realizes the Gift-Giving Dynamics
Those who exchange presents with one another
Remain friends the longest
If things turn out successfully.
It is better not to beg [ask for something]
Than to sacrifice too much [to the gods]:
A present given always expects one in return.
It is better not to bring any offering
Than to spend too much on it.
How people prepare gifts to others, the dynamics before and after giving and receiving gifts, and the obligation to reciprocate fascinate me. In this research, I delved into the gift-giving model and how language functions in the gift-giving process.
Methodologically, I merges the gift-giving system proposed by Sherry and the Speech Function framework by Martin. With the coding scheme of the two theories, I deconstructed a dialogue before, during, and after the gift-giving process.
In conclusion, language, or the interpersonal function of language plays not only a lubricant role but a crucial foundation of gift-giving, in terms of giving out the signals of gift preparation, immediate reaction during the gift presentation, and the confirmation of relationship dynamics.
In November 2021, I presented this multidisciplinary research in the Fudan Ph.D. Conference and won the Linguistic Research Award.
