Abstract：Abstract: Most research of Pragma-dialectical argumentative discourse mainly focuses on reconstruction of argumentative moves and evaluation on argumentative effects but neglects the impact of speakers’ dynamically-constructed identity (pragmatic identity) on the process and strategies of argumentation. This paper constructs a specific research path which integrates Pragmatic Identity into Pragma-Dialectics Principles and analyzes Liu Xin’s pragmatic identity construction in her argumentative dialogue with Trish Regan on the TV show, elaborating the functions and effects of pragmatic identity. It discovers that Liu Xin constructs two kinds of pragmatic identities in the argumentation: default identity and deviational identity. In course of argumentation, Liu Xin constructs her default protagonist identity and dynamic potential identities, which justify her speech acts and contribute to defending her standpoint against all the attacks by the critical antagonist and settling their disagreements. Her strategic pragmatic identities contribute to enhancing argumentative reasonableness, strategic effectiveness, and standpoint acceptability.
Key words: pragmatic identity construction; Pragma-Dialectics; argumentative discourse; strategic maneuvering
