Self-Denigration in 21st Century Chinese

Abstract

Abstract The present paper aims to explore the characteristics of the self-denigration phenomenon in present-day Chinese, hence revisiting a key Chinese linguacultural phenomenon from a contemporary angle. We investigate the following understudied phenomenon: Self-denigration has changed together with Chinese interpersonal language use and interactional technologies, and is currently being used in remarkably innovative ways, in particular in the domain of online interactions. While various historical self-denigrating forms have remained in use, significantly more newly invented ones have gained popularity. We argue that the cluster of self-denigrating forms used in present-day Chinese can fulfil a variety of sociopragmatic functions. Some of these functions - such as showing off - paradoxically contradict with the conventional understanding of self-denigration as a ceremonial form of deference behaviour expressing modesty. Our investigation is based on data drawn from computer-mediated communication (CMC), as well as semi-structured interviews.