ABSTRACT

With the degree of economic globalization deepening in the world, people from different countries, different cultural backgrounds, ideologies and religious beliefs are engaged in the highest frequency of communication and contact in history. In the process of communication and contact, the greetings become the prerequisite for normal communication, and become a bridge of different cultural, ideological and religious backgrounds. In the above context, the greetings of the various regions and countries are different, and the contradiction caused by these differences may lead to misleading or even conflict in communication. Each culture has more or less its unique characteristics, so the difference is naturally formed among different cultures, and differences of language are called an important aspect of cultural differences. 

Through analyzing the differences of greetings and cultures between Chinese and Westerners, the thesis puts forward that the significance of studying and analysis lies in improving the level of cross-cultural communication and the possibility of communication success. It is important to study different cultures and understand the correct use of greetings. Improving our awareness of cross-cultural communication skills and studying the differences between Chinese and Western greetings for cross-cultural communication have an important theoretical value and practical significance.

Key Words：greeting; culture; inter-cultural communication; pragmatics

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Culture and inter-cultural communication-1

2. Pragmatics and pragmatic strategies-2

2.1 Pragmatics-2

2.1.1 The definition of pragmatics-2

2.1.2 The overview of pragmatics-3

2.1.3 Pragmatic differences-3

2.2 Pragmatic strategies-4

2.2.1 pragmatic strategy studies-4

2.2.2 Language behavior and pragmatic strategies-4

2.2.3 Pragmatic strategies in verbal communication-5

3. The differences between Chinese and Western greetings-5

3.1 The differences between Chinese and western compliments and the reasons-6

3.2 The relevance theory of Chinese and Western compliments-6

4.Differences between Chinese and Western greetings in the aspect of culture-7

4.1 Greetings in China and the West-7

4.1.1 Differences in greetings-7

4.1.2 Differences in address terms-8

4.1.3 The difference in farewell-9

4.2 Differences between Chinese and Western greeting cultures-9

5. Conclusion-10

References:-12

Acknowledgements-13