The Conversational Art of Talk Show Hosts Under the Constraint of Politeness Principles - A Case Study of High-End Interviews

Abstract

In the current media communication landscape, highend interview programs are key platforms for delivering in-depth information and promoting cultural exchange, while the host’s conversational art directly affects program flow, audience experience, and information dissemination effectiveness. Therefore, studying the conversational art of talk show hosts under the constraint of politeness principles is of great significance for maintaining a harmonious communication atmosphere, respecting interviewees, and gaining the trust of the audience. This paper examines the high-end interview programs broadcast on CCTV and hosted by Zou Yun and Wang Guan, focusing on exploring the hosts’ conversational art under the constraint of politeness principles. The study adopts literature analysis method and case analysis method. Through literature analysis, it systematically reviews theories related to politeness principles and conversational art. With case analysis, it analyzes specific clips of the programs. The study finds that the two hosts flexibly use conversational skills in three aspects: appropriateness of language expression, listening and responding, and balance of conversation. These skills align with the requirements of politeness principles and effectively improve the program quality. This study enriches the research on the conversational art of talk show hosts and provides practical insights for the development of the profession.