The Construction of Pragmatic Identity under Confucianism: A Case Study of Jia Zheng's Discourse

Abstract

Discourse and identity are mutually constitutive: the identity individuals adopt in communication directly shapes their choices and
patterns of linguistic expression, while their selected speech continually reinforces their identity. In communicative settings involving speakers, listeners, and potential third parties, the choice of which identity to assume is essentially a dynamic, context-sensitive pragmatic decision.
In The Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Zheng's speech vividly reflects how the prevailing Confucian ideology of his era profoundly shaped
his inner world and outward conduct. By analyzing Jia Zheng's discourse across three distinct scenes, this study demonstrates how he adapts
to varying contexts and constructs distinct pragmatic identitiesnamely, the Confucian scholar, the strict father, and the loyal subject. The underlying motivation for constructing pragmatic identities is to fulfill specific behavioral and emotional needs to achieve effective interaction.
Focusing on Jia Zheng's discourse practice in The Dream of the Red Chamber, this paper examines the Confucian concepts embedded within
it, thereby not only expanding the dimensions of pragmatic identity theory but also contributing to the transformation and inheritance of Chinese traditional culture.