Preface as a paratext in Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield: a pragmatic study

Abstract EN

This study is aimed at identifying the pragmatic functions of the preface as a paratext in Charles Dickens’s David Copperfield.

to fulfill this aim, the study adopts an eclectic model combining Searle’s (1979) speech acts, Aristotle’s (2007) rhetorical theory, Levinson’s (1983) person Deixis and Hyland’s (1998) reliability hedges.

through the descriptive qualitative approach, the data analysis shows that dickens employs only three types of speech acts (representative, commissive and expressive), three modes of persuasion (pathos, logos and ethos), the first and third person Deixis, and two reliability hedges.

the analysis also brings into light that dickens employs these linguistic tools to gain readers’ interest, sympathy and trust, and reinforce his credibility as an author, narrator and participant in the world of the novel they are about to enter.

the results detect that the preface offers a few glimpses about the work in hand, and functions as a perception shaping device.