Abstract：Based on the investigation of Chinese Compliments Speech Act, this paper aims to explore the similarities and differences between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts. This study mainly has three objectives: (1) to investigate and understand the current situation of English and Chinese Compliments, (2) to compare the similarities and differences between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts, (3) to explore the reasons for differences between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts.

    Through the research on the Internet and books, I find that today there is a big difference between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts. In this paper, I study comparatively the similarities and differences between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts from three aspects: the topic, using objects, and the response strategy. Through the study of these, I find that Chinese Compliments mostly focus on the achievements and capabilities, but English Compliments always focus on overlooks and possessions; Chinese Compliments are often used from lower to higher levels, however, English Compliments are always used from superior to subordinate; Chinese compliments’ response strategy is mainly an indirect way to transfer the topic and ask a rhetorical question, but English Compliments are mainly receiving and returning the compliments. And I find that differences between English and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts are mainly caused by Chinese and English have the different social values, time values, and the values of history. So there has such a big difference between their specific Compliments Speech Acts.

Key Words: Compliments; Speech Acts; Topic; Using objects; Response strategy

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-6

1.1Research Topic-6

1.2Theoretical Fundation-6

1.3Research Background-7

2. Comparative study of English and Chinese Compliments’ topics-8

2.1 Chinese Compliments topic-8

2.2 English Compliments topic-10

3.Cmparative study of English and Chinese Compliments’ using objects-11

    3.1 Chinese Compliments are often used from lower to higher levels……………………..11

3.2 English Compliments are often used from superior to subordinate-11

4. Comparative study of English and Chinese Compliments’ response strategy-12

4.1 Chinese compliments’ response strategy-12

4.2 English Compliments’ response strategy -13

5. The reasons for differences between E nglish and Chinese Compliments Speech Acts……..15

5.1 Differences in social values-15

5.2 Differences in time values : P-time and F-time-18

5.3 Differences in the values of history-19

6. Conclusion-20

 References-20

 Acknowledgments-21