Contents

Acknowledgments

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Definition of Politeness-1

1.2 Significance of the Study-1

1.3 Format of this Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 Previous Studies-3

2.1.1Previous Studies on Politeness abroad-3

2.1.2 Previous Studies on Politeness in China-3

2.2 Theoretical Basis-3

2.2.1 Brown and Levinson’s Face-saving Theory-3

2.2.2 Leech’s Politeness Principle-4

2.2.3 Gu Yueguo’s Politeness Model-5

Chapter Three A Comparison Between English and Chinese Politeness in the Movie of “The Joy Luck Club”-6

3.1 Greetings-6

3.2 Compliments-7

3.3 Terms of Address-8

3.4 Expressing Thanks-9

Chapter Four Reasons for the Differences-10

4.1 Privacy and Attitudinal Warmth-10

4.2 Modesty and Self-denigration-11

4.3 Solidarity and Power-12

Chapter Five Conclusion-14

Reference-15

Abstract

Politeness, as a universal society phenomenon, plays a key part in coordinating people’s social relationships, maintaining interpersonal harmony and avoiding communication conflicts.

Accompanied by the emergence of the pragmatic, the research of politeness has attracted great attention from scholars and experts from home and abroad. Western scholars such as Brown, Levinson and Leech have devoted themselves in the study of politeness and finally proposed their theories on politeness which have achieved considerable success. Owing to the cultural differences, criteria and ways of expressing politeness vary a lot. The cross-cultural communication would not be easily successful if one judge people from other nations according to cultural values of a certain culture. 

Via the politeness theories in pragmatics, this thesis analyzes the different politeness between English and Chinese culture based on the American movie “The Joy Luck Club” as well as the cultural factors which cause the differences. Meanwhile, this thesis will give some suggestions on foreign language learning and intercultural communication. 

Keywords:  culture  politeness  communication  The Joy Luck Club