摘要对语言学家来说，“礼貌”有多种用法。例如，礼貌可以是一种避免冲突，或者把冲突最小化的一种方式；礼貌也指得体的社会行为。语言学家里奇认为我们应该遵循礼貌原则。为了充分回答这个大家比较关心的礼貌问题，本文旨在详细研究英汉礼貌用语中的文化差异，先分别解读中方和西方的礼貌用语，再由其中的核心内容引出文化差异。目的在于提高礼貌意识，拓宽对不同礼貌用语下的文化的了解。该研究项目采用了定性法，综合并归纳所取资料得出结论。本研究将会有助于理解在中西跨文化交际中的文化和语言表达差异，避免双方误解，实现顺利沟通。48817

毕业论文关键词：礼貌用语；文化差异；跨文化交际

Abstract  Linguists use the term “politeness” in a variety of ways, for example as a means of minimizing or avoiding conflict, as the use of language to maintain smooth and harmonious interpersonal relations, as the use of socially appropriate behavior. In order to fully answer this question which people are more concerned about, this paper aims to study in detail the cultural differences in Politeness between Westerners and Chinese. It aims to raise awareness of politeness, get more understanding of different cultures from politeness expressions. The findings will help us understand cultural and linguistic differences in intercultural communication to avoid misunderstanding and achieve smooth communication.

Key words: politeness expression; cultural difference; intercultural communication

A Comparative Study on English and Chinese Cultural Difference of Politeness Expressions

Contents

摘 要…...………………………...i

Abstract…...……………ii

I. Introduction 1

II. The Concept of Politeness 2

2.1 Definition of Politeness in General 2

2.2 Concept of Politeness in English-speaking Culture 3

2.3 Concept of Politeness in Chinese Culture 4

III. Cultural Differences in Ways of Using Politeness Expressions 5

3.1 Greetings and Farewells 6

3.2 Addressing 7

3.3 Compliments 8

3.4 Ways to Express Gratitude 9

IV. Causes of Cultural Difference and Suggestions of Improving Cross-Culture Communication 10

4.1 Causes of Cultural Difference 10

4.2 Suggestions of Improving Cross-Culture Communication 12

V. Conclusion 14

Bibliography 15

Acknowledges…………………16I. Introduction 

In human society, politeness is to maintain a normal life while asking people to abide by the most basic ethics that is gradually formed in the long-term cohabitation and mutual exchanges in people’ lives. For a person, politeness is a person’s outward manifestation in ideological and moral standards, culture, communicative competence. Politeness and education are essential for decorating human’ or others’ excellent quality and talent. Politeness do not pay the price, but can get a lot of harvest. Polite manners not only make people joy, but also make society becomes harmonious. Everyone is eager to get other people’s respect and appreciation in subconscious, so that’s why the politeness arises. Politeness is probably the greatest invention in the history of human civilization which can help us solve many problems.