STRATEGIES USED BY THE LIAR IN ORDER TO CONCEAL HIS COGNITIVE STATE

STRATEGIES USED BY THE LIAR IN ORDER TO CONCEAL HIS COGNITIVE STATE

Author:  A.G. Pospelova, E.N. Shustrova

Affiliation:  Ural State Pedagogical University

Abstract:  In this paper, a special type of communication, dialogue with the liar-mystificator, is considered in cognitive-pragmatic terms. This kind of communication is specific in that it violates the requirement of a direct connection between the content of the speaker’s thoughts and the content of his utterance. It is shown that resorting to the strategy of creating a false image, through a series of sub-strategies, the liar hides his true thoughts and opinions, mostly negative, which usually lead to conflict. How-ever, his efforts are aimed at preserving the appearance of cooperative communication. For an English-speaking participant of communication concealment of lies and harmonizing relations with the addressee is particularly important because, as the researchers note, respect for the individual is inherent to Western culture.

Keywords:  lie, mystification, cognitive, strategies, pragmatics