Based on the data collected from the conversations in some American TV plays, this paper analyzes the phenomenon of deliberate misinterpretation in English daily conversations in terms of its triggers and communicative functions. Two categories of triggers are explored in the present study, which are the indeterminacy of contextual meaning and the indeterminacy of force in Speaker One's (S1's) utterance. Three categories of communicative functions are analyzed including improving interpersonal relationship, manipulating information, and creating special communicative effects. Light may be shed on English teaching and learning, TV talk shows, courtroom languages and debates.

Keywords: Deliberate Misinterpretation; Triggers; Communicative Functions