Abstract
This paper investigates the multifaceted pragmatic functions of translanguaging practices in Tucao discourse within the context of social media. Drawing on data from popular Chinese comedy shows such as Roast and The King of Comedy, the research combines the theoretical frameworks of Rapport Management and Translanguaging Practices theory to categorize and analyze instances of code-switching and the integration of other semiotic resources in humorous speech. The findings identify two major types of Tucao discourse, namely self-mocking and other-criticizing, and show that translanguaging plays a crucial role in identity construction, face management, and meaning negotiation. These practices not only enhance the humorous effect of Tucao discourse but also construct multilayered interpersonal relationships among participants, reflecting subcultural communication styles among Chinese youth. The research in this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the linguistic construction of Tucao discourse and provides new perspectives for the study of translanguaging practices in social media contexts.
References
Chen, X. (2013). Pragmatic identity: Dynamic choice and discursive construction. Foreign Languages Research, (4), 27-32+112.
Chen, X. J., Liu, J. H., Sun, H., & Zhou, H. H. (2016). Research on internet celebrities from a critical discourse analysis perspective: A case study of Papi Jiang. Journal of News Research, 7(17), 15-16+18.
He, Z. R., & Ran, Y. P. (2009). New introduction to pragmatics. Peking University Press.
Li, M. (2020). A textual-pragmatic analysis of humor in “roasting” discourse: Taking Season 1 of “Roast!” as an example [Master’s thesis, Shanghai International Studies University].
Li, S. S. (2015). Discussion of the Chinese word “Tucao”. Journal of Jixi University, 15(9), 135-138.
Li, W., & Shen, Q. (2021). Translanguaging: Origins, developments, and future directions. Journal of Foreign Languages, 44(4), 2-14.
Ren, W., Guo, Y., & Wei, L. (2022). Chinese young people’s attitudes towards translanguaging in self-praise on social media. Journal of Pragmatics, 187, 93-103.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2022.06.006
Zhang, Y. C. (2019). Semantic generalization of the popular word Tucao. Language Teaching and Linguistic Studies, (6), 101-108.
Zheng, Y. Y., & An, N. (2022). A decade of translanguaging research: Theory, practice and prospects. Foreign Language Education, 43(5), 1-7.
How to cite this paper
Pragmatic Functions of Translanguaging Practices in Tucao Discourse
How to cite this paper: Yuyan Wang, Qing Yang. (2025) Pragmatic Functions of Translanguaging Practices in Tucao Discourse. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 9(7), 1436-1441.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.07.028