Pragmatic Analysis of Evasion Strategies in Pakistani Political Talk Shows

Abstract

The phenomenon of evasion is a familiar feature present redundantly in the conversations of the interviewees. When the interviewee intentionally does not observe either one or more maxims of Cooperative Principle in order to save his face in situations where his face is threatened by tough queries, then this is referred to as evasion. The speaker in order to avoid answering directly makes an evasive response that is uncooperative. Various socio-linguistic factors motivate a speaker for evasion. The present work endeavours to investigate that to what extent do interviewees evade questions and what are the different evasive strategies employed by the male and female politicians to save their face. Data for the present research has been taken from four selected Pakistani political talkshows, aired on private channels. This study, by analysing evasive behaviours in a Pakistani political talkshow, may contribute to a better understanding of the linguistic features of evasion in Pakistani political talkshows. This will be valuable for interviewees to deal with face-threatening questions and for interviewers to detect evasive responses.