表情符號對禮貌程度的認知影響探究─以「請求行為」為例

Abstract

表情符號已成為人際溝通中的重要工具，特別是在電腦中介傳播（CMC）中，扮演著關鍵的非語言交際（non-verbal communication）角色，有助於達成言語行為的目的，如請求行為。然而，對於表情符號的使用是否恰當及禮貌，觀點卻不一。為此，本研究將焦點放在受話者端對表情符號的感知，並以言語行為中的「請求行為」為主要討論範疇。 考量人與人的交際中，不同語境的社會因素會影響禮貌策略的選擇，本研究重視「性別」、「社會地位」、「親密度」與「同性異性」等因素，並觀察受試者在這些不同語境下對於純文字以及含有五種「請求類」表情符號（🥲、🥺、☺️、🙏、😅）的請求句的禮貌感知。 研究結果顯示，表情符號一般可為請求句的禮貌程度帶來正向效應。在表情符號方面，非臉部的表情符號由於其中立、抽象且無預設立場的特性，能顯著提升句子的禮貌感知。在「性別」、「社會地位」、「親密度」和「同性異性」的社會因素中，相對於生理男性，生理女性對表情符號的解讀較為細膩且多面向，而「親密度」在溝通策略選擇中扮演決定性角色。 最後，本研究據實際結果設計出表情符號與禮貌語氣的教學方案，期望對華語教學提供實用的指導，並制定適合初中級華語學習者，能滿足其在臺灣日常請求需求的教學課程。Emojis have become an integral part of interpersonal communication, particularly within computer-mediated communication (CMC). Here, they serve a vital function in non-verbal communication, facilitating the execution of speech acts, such as requests. However, perspectives on the appropriateness and politeness of emoji use vary. As a result, this study turns its focus onto the recipient's perception of emojis, with a particular emphasis on the context of requesting speech acts. Recognizing that social factors within varying contexts can influence the selection of politeness strategies, this research gives special consideration to factors such as 'gender,' 'social status,' 'intimacy,' and 'same or opposite sex.' The study assesses subjects' perceptions of politeness in various contexts, comparing reactions to request sentences presented as plain text with those accompaniedby one of five types of'request-themed' emojis: 🥲, 🥺, ☺️, 🙏, and 😅. The findings indicate that emojis generally enhance the perceived politeness of request sentences. Specifically, non-facial emojis, owing to their neutral, abstract, and non-prejudiced nature, significantly improve politeness perception. Among the studied social factors, females were found to interpret emojis more subtly and complexly than males Moreover, 'intimacy' emerged as a key determinant in the choices of communication strategy. Lastly, informed by these findings, this study formulates a teaching plan for Chinese language courses. The plan integrates the use of emojis and polite tones into the teaching of request sentences, providing practical guidance for beginner to intermediate Chinese learners. The ultimate aim is to equip these learners with the skills to make effective, polite requests in their everyday interactions within Taiwan.