A Dissertation by GRACE HUI-CHIN LIN Submitted to the Office of ...

Example of meaning replacement:
vague illustration for dowry
A: What age do you want to get married?
B: It depends on my achievements. If I am rich when I am
30, I will get married sooner. If I still do not have a
stable job and enough saving till 40, I might get married
later. How about you?
A: I don’t know. Sometimes, it depends on what kind of
people I meet. If I find someone l like soon, I will get
married younger. I don’t worry about my financial
situation. If the bride is able to offer a lot of dowry, then
I can be rich by getting married.
B: Dowry?
A: If the family of the bride give things like, refrigerator, TV
set, personal computer, air conditioner, and some money
for her. ( change the original meaning of dowry for a
little bit without abandoning explaining dowry, without
change the topic of marriage)
Example of meaning replacement”
Baby concept of miserable
A: How old were you when you went on your first
date?
B: When I was 13.
A: Wow, that is young. What did you do?
B: I was nervous, so I sneezed and coughed all
the time.
A: So, it was funny and not romantic?
B: No, it is was Miserable.
A: Miserable?
B: It was not an enjoyable experience.
( vague meaning of miserable expressed by not
enjoyable)
Example of meaning replacement
A: If your husband or wife has an affair
what would you do?
B: An affair?
A: Your spouse love someone else, and does
not let you know. ( A explains “affair” with
vague meaning)
B: I might consider to get divorce.
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