Pragmatic Mechanisms with Direct Impact on Constructing the Strategy of Convergence

An Applied Study in the Film (The Message)

Abstract

This study explores the pragmatics of mechanisms that exert a direct impact on discourse, resulting in a sense of closeness and convergence between the sender and the receiver. Specifically, it focuses on the mechanisms employed in The Message (the film). The study adopts an analytical approach and aims to identify the mechanisms that carry an immediate and positive effect on both the discourse and its audience, ultimately fostering a sense of closeness between the interlocutors. Four such mechanisms were identified.

In the introduction, we briefly clarified the concept of "convergence," the notion of "mechanism," and how such mechanisms can be extracted from spoken texts and applied in linguistic contexts. We also distinguished between direct and indirect influence.

When addressing mechanisms with direct impact in the strategy of convergence, we first defined the term "mechanism" and elaborated on its meaning. Then, we presented examples from our sample — The Message — with a focus on analyzing the contexts in which each mechanism occurred, its immediate effect on the situation and characters, and the degree of closeness it generated between the speakers.

The conclusion presents key findings derived from our analysis, demonstrating that each of the identified mechanisms has both tangible and intangible effects on altering discourse context and meaning, as well as on the interlocutors' psychological responses and their engagement with the communicative act.