Abstract

As a common social phenomenon, language courtesy widely exists in our society and life. It is a tool to coordinate social relations, to maintain interpersonal relationship and to avoid conflict. With the globalization becoming deeper and deeper, China and western countries' relationship has become closer in politics, economy and culture. The multi-culture communication has become more frequent, and the usage of polite language has become more important. During this process, the success of multi-culture communication depends on usage of polite language, to a large extent. This paper will make a comparison study between Chinese and English politeness, and expound the similarities and differences, as well as the reasons and countermeasures. Firstly it will explore the principle of politeness itself and the principles of English and Chinese courtesy language. Secondly it will compare the concrete parts of the daily use of Chinese and English politeness, and analyze these contrasts. Thirdly this paper will discuss the reasons for these differences. Fourthly we will see how to process cross-cultural communication between China and the west with knowing these differences.  

Key words: polite language, politeness principle, culture differences, comparison

CONTENTS

中文摘要

Abstract

1.Introduction1

2.The Principle of Polite Language 1

2.1. The Principles of Politeness1

2.1.1.The Face Theory1

2.1.2.Grice’s Cooperative Principle2

2.1.3.Leech’s Politeness Principle 3

2.2. Polite Principle in English 4

2.3. Polite Principle in Chinese 4

3.Comparison between English and Chinese Polite Language 5

3.1. Address 5

3.2. Greetings and Farewell 6

3.3. Thanks and Apologies 6

3.4. Table Manners 7

4.Reasons for Differences in Polite Language 7

4.1. Different History 7

4.2. Different Philosophy and Values 8

5.Countermeasures Dealing with the Differences8

5.1. In Cross-cultural Communication 8

5.2. In English Teaching 9

6.Conclusion 9

Works Cited 10