Are you seriously speaking? Ostensible criticisms in Chinese context

While previous studies on ostensible speech acts mainly concern ostensible invitations, ostensible refusals or ostensible compliments, few have touched upon ostensible criticisms. To fill the knowledge gap, this study collected online data through Baidu search engine to examine criticisables and functions of ostensible criticisms in Chinese contexts, and discusses the underlying sociocultural factors. The findings reveal that (1) the criticisables are “good shortcomings” that can range from addressee's being overworking to absentee's being too showy. (2) such ostensible criticisms can function to express implicit flattery, construct positive image or convey humblebrag; and (3) factors such as conflicting communicative needs, belief in Confucian doctrines of “lǐmào” (politeness) and “héxié” (harmony), and face sensitivities may underlie the performance of ostensible criticisms in Chinese context.