Cultural Differences of Chinese and Western Courtesy Language 中西方礼貌用语的文化差异

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Foreign Language Department

Graduation Thesis

Cultural Differences of Chinese and Western

Courtesy Languages

Name: Class: X-X Major: English Advisor:

Time: May15th, 2013

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黑龙江财经学院

毕业论文（设计）

任务书

系别 XX 系 专业 英 语 班级 X级英本X 学生姓名 马XX

2012年11月8日

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–独家原创

--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- 说 明

1、本任务书为我院各专业下达毕业论文（设计）任务之用。

2、本任务书由指导教师填写并签字，系主任批准签字。批准后，由系（部）统一保存。

3、本任务书中阶段检查必须按时进行填写，以保证毕业论文（设计）按时如期完成。

4、毕业答辩完成后，本任务书与毕业论文（设计）一起装入学生毕业论文（设计）资料袋，由系（部）统一保存。

教务处 二0一二年十一月

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- 毕业论文（设计）任务书

姓名 专业 马XX 英语 系别 班级 X系 X级英本X 毕业论文（设计）题目： Cultural Differences of Chinese and Western Courtesy Language 中西方礼貌用语的文化差异 毕业论文（设计）目的意义： 语言既是文化的载体，又是文化的一部分，语言受到文化的影响,是文化的一面镜子。因此，礼貌用语作为语言的一部分与文化也是密不可分的，礼貌是文化的重要组成部分，英汉文化不同，英汉语言的礼貌原则也存在这差异。本课题将通过对中英文化中礼貌语的对比研究，阐明中西礼貌用语的共性和差异性，以及在不同文化背景下，中英不同的礼貌原则和各自的侧重点。通过对此课题的研究，使人们在社交过程中，根据不同的场合，正确的使用合适的礼貌语， 避免不同文化下不同礼貌用语带来的各种冲突。同时，能使英语学习者更加透彻的了解西方文化，掌握交际语言。最后，若用于英语教学中，将提高学生的综合素质，以及跨文化交际能力。 毕业论文（设计）要求与计划： （1）撰写论文时要严格按开题报告的程序进行 （2）根据所撰写的提纲收集材料。选取有利于文章的材料组成文章 （3）要有逻辑性，论点明确，论据充分，文章脉络要清晰，应有个人观点 （4）理论、观点、概念要准确、清晰 （5）论文要有一定新意 （6）指导学生拟订论文写作提纲，审阅学生调研计划和实验设计方案。定期检查学生论文进展情况，指导学生解决理论上的难点和实践中的关键性问题 （7）按系里要求提交初稿、二稿和最后成稿 （8）每篇论文不少于五千字 2016全新精品资料-全新公文范文-全程指导写作 –独家原创

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- 时间安排： 2012年11月8日 下达任务书 2012年12月1-8日 收集资料，提交论文详细提纲 2012年12月9-20日 收集资料，完善初稿（一稿） 2013年4月15日- 5月 与指导教师讨论修改论文（二稿） 2013年5月上旬 定稿、打印、装订、论文答辩 指导教师意见（签字）： 应按学院规定的格式及时间安排保证质量按期完成。 2012年 11月 17 日 专业指导委员会意见（签字）： 2012 年 11月 20日 系主任意见（签字）： 2012 年11 月 24日 2016全新精品资料-全新公文范文-全程指导写作 –独家原创

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摘 要

语言既是文化的载体，又是文化的一部分，语言受到文化的影响,是文化的一面镜子。因此，礼貌用语作为语言的一部分与文化也是密不可分的，礼貌是文化的重要组成部分，英汉文化不同，英汉语言的礼貌原则也存在着差异。礼貌用语在跨文化交际中起着十分重要的作用，是良好的人际关系得以维持的基石。礼貌用语在跨文化交际中使用的是否得体，将直接关系着交际是否能顺利的进行下去，甚至能否能够达到交际目的。根据中英礼貌用语的不同原则，对其做出了对比研究，阐明了中西礼貌用语的共性和差异性，以及引起不同的根源和对策。通过该研究，使人们在社交过程中，根据不同的场合，正确的使用合适的礼貌语，避免不同文化下不同礼貌用语带来的各种冲突。同时，能使英语学习者更加透彻的了解西方文化，掌握交际语言。最后，将其应用于英语教学中，有效提高学生的综合素质和跨文化交际能力。

关键词：礼貌原则；礼貌用语；对策

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- Abstract

Language, as a part of culture, is influenced by culture, so is courtesy. Courtesy language is the important part of the culture. All the courtesy languages are the mirrors to their cultures. Different cultures between china and west lead to different politeness principles. Courtesy language plays a very important role in the cross-cultural communication. It is the basic element to keep a good relationship. Whether the use of courtesy language is proper or not will directly influence the communication. According to the different principles of Chinese and Western courtesy languages, the paper makes a comparison study between them, and expounds the similarities and differences, as well as the reasons and countermeasures. Therefore, the study of this subject can conduct people to use the right polite language, avoiding the conflict that brings about the different culture courtesy and different culture according to the different occasions in the social process. At the same time, the paper can make the reader understand and master the western culture and the right way of communication. Finally, if the politeness principles are used in the English teaching and learning, it will improve the students comprehensive quality, and the ability of cross-cultural communication.

Key Words: polite principle ; politeness language; countermeasure

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1

Introduction

With the development of science and technology, communication among people from different countries and different cultures is more frequent and important. Our world is multicultural, when we communicate with people from another culture, we are not only affected by the difference of language, but also disturbed by the difference of culture, to ensure a successful understanding and communication, we should pay attention to politeness, one of the most universal phenomena in intercultural communication.

As a universal phenomenon, politeness is observed in every society; its main functions are maintaining social order; maintaining friendly interpersonal relations; reducing conflicts and misunderstandings by means of polite speech acts so as to attain the aim of communication. Both English and Chinese language has much different restriction, among which the most important is the restriction of cultural factors. British linguists, Leech listed the six politeness principles according to the English culture characteristic, while Gu Yueguo analyzed Chinese culture characteristic and had conclude five politeness principles in his research on about Politeness, Pragmatics and Culture. Comparing the politeness principles of Gu Yueguo and Leech we can find that there are many politeness norms of differences. It is an effective way to prevent pragmatic failures and promote the communication smoothly by analyzing and comparing these differences scientifically.

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2 Different Principles of Politeness in Chinese and

English

Politeness is the common phenomenon existing in social and group which is the symbol of human civilization and the tool of maintaining interpersonal harmony. In an intercultural communication, interlocutors bear the different cultural backgrounds, the manipulation of politeness strategies is even more challenging, because it is human natural tendency to evaluate other’s behaviour with the reference to one’s own criteria. Therefore, the comparative study of politeness principles in Chinese and English cultures becomes more and more important. Meanwhile to be familiar with different cultural backgrounds and to choose the right politeness maxims during communication are also very important.

2.1 Politeness Principles of Chinese Courtesy Language

Like the English speaking countries, the ancient Chinese have made an important discussion on politeness. “道德仁义非礼不成。人有礼则安。无礼则危。故曰：礼者不可不学也。鹦鹉能言，不离飞鸟；猩猩能言，不离禽兽。今人而无礼，不亦禽兽之心乎。夫惟禽兽无礼。”There is the stander that 夫礼者自卑而尊人 in the early work <礼记>

Recently, the study of politeness principle had made great improvement in China. Gu Yueguo pointed out four politeness traits in communication according to the culture background of China’s history and daily communication of Chinese people. That is respectfulness, modesty, attitude warmth and refind-ment. At the same time, Gu Yueguo put forward five politeness principles on the basis of Leech’s.

2.1.1 The Chinese Tradition of Politeness

China has a rich history of 5000 years. As a land of courtesy and civilization,

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- China has been famous as a country of ceremony and propriety. Whether a person is polite or not is important enough to reveal the quality of that person.

In Chinese culture, the concept of politeness can be traced back to the notion of Li, formulated by the ancient philosopher and thinker Confucius (551BC-429BC), who has been highly valued from ancient time. It is commonly accepted that it is Confucianism, the philosophical system of Confucius that has founded the cornerstone of Chinese mainstream culture and dominated Chinese society for several thousands years. It is bound to have influence on the way people think and treat each other, and even on the forms of language they use in different communicative situations. Limao defines the appropriate conduct and behavior, and certain obligation and responsibility for every social member in accordance with his/her social position by way of other-respecting. In a word, politeness in Chinese culture has a strong trace of political goals and moral, which helps maintain social order.

2.1.2 Gu Yueguo’s Chinese Politeness Principles

Gu yueguo has proposed four sides of politeness: respectfulness, modesty, attitudinal warmth and refinement and five politeness maxim:The first politeness principle is self-denigration maxim. Gu thought that the most trait of Chinese politeness is “Fu Li Zhe, Zi Bei Er Zun Ren”. The maxim points out that we must “Bian” and “Qian” when we do something for ourselves. On the other hand, we should “Tai” and “Zun” when something is related to the listener. The second politeness principle is address maxim. This maxim points out the traditions that “Huang Xia You Yi, Gui Jian You Fen, Zhang Yao You Xu” which embodies the social relations in the interpersonal communication when people address each other. The third politeness principle is tact maxim. In the Chinese culture, “Bin Bin You Li” is considered the politeness and cultivated. The basic content is “genteelism chose, bawdry forbidden, multi-purpose tactful, less with the truth”, avoiding mention the unpleasant or embarrassing things. The fourth politeness principle is agreement maxim. This criterion refers to caring each other’s identity and status in society, respecting each other’s “face” which makes each other harmony in many aspects.

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- When we must criticize others or publish the different opinion, we can take the strategy that “Xian Li Hou Bin, Xian Bao Hou Bian” The fifth politeness principle is generosity maxim. Minimize cost to others, maximizes benefit to other in the behavior of motivation. Maximize the benefit that you gain from others, minimizing the cost you pay in the words.

2.2 Politeness Principles of English Courtesy Language

Brown and Levinson thought different culture have the different politeness principles. In their view, the face is something that is emotionally invested, and that can be lost, maintained, or enhanced, and must be constantly attended to in interaction. This different is influenced by the society, culture, religion and geography chronically. Chinese and English choose the different strategy which embodies their different National culture feature to express the different politeness principle. So people will choose the proper politeness principle in cross-cultural communication.

2.2.1 Brown and Levinson’s “Face” Theory

Politeness, in the interaction, can then be defined as the means employed to show awareness of another person’s face.

In 1978, Brown and Levinson had further put forward the “Mature Face Theory” which tried to take face as a common language phenomenon to research on the basis of Goff man in their work of Universals in Language Usage: Politeness Phenomena. Brown and Levinson divided the face into positive face and negative face. Then politeness is also divided into the positive manner and negative manner. The Mature Face Theory of Brown and Levinson is the first; time to discuss the face problems of politeness systematically from anthropology and philosophy. In their view, the face is something that is emotionally invested, and that can be lost, maintained, or enhanced, and must be constantly attended to in interaction. This different is influenced by the society, culture, religion and geography chronically. Chinese and English choose the different strategy which embodies their different National culture feature to express the different politeness principle. So people will choose the proper politeness principle in cross-cultural communication. They thought that face is, for every social

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- member, wanted to gain for the public self-image of them. In the process of interaction, people hope each other can maintain each other’s face. Along with the face threat increasing, people use the higher politeness strategies to maintain their face. The face threat level depends on the difference of social distance and social power between the communications.

2.2.2 Grice Cooperative Principle

Grice Cooperative Principle Grice, an American linguist, has put forward the Cooperative Principle in people’s conversation. He thought that, in all the communication, the speaker and listener should follow some principles which make the process of communication develop toward the tacit understanding and cooperation. There are four maxims to embody the cooperative principle: The first one is quantity maxim: the information you offer should accord with the conversation, just the right amount. The second one is quality maxim: what you said should be reasonable and true. The next one is relevant maxim: what you said should be related to the content of the front. The last one is manner maxim: the word you said should be terse, clear, and systematical.

But some people do not comply with this social principle; even some of them violate those in social communication. In other words, the Cooperative Principle can't completely contain the kinds of conversation. According to this, the English linguist Leech thought the root of people violating the Cooperative Principle is that they want to comply with another principles — Politeness Principle. From the Pragmatics and Interpersonal Rhetoric, Leech summed up and classified the Politeness Principle during the social communication. Leech pointed that: the Cooperative Principle guides what we should say, so as to meet the expectations. However, the politeness principle can be maintained the friendship. So the Cooperation Principles and politeness principles can make a supplement each other which restrict people’s conversation behaviors.

2.2.3 Leech’s Politeness Principle

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- Leech’s Politeness Principle English scholar Leech, in his principles of pragmatics, put forward his politeness principle on the basis of Grecian framework. He believed that “besides Cooperative Principle, Politeness Principle guides and constrains rational people’s conversation as well. It is closely connected with Cooperative Principle. Yet on the other hand, it solves the problem why people prefer to use indirect speech in conversation, which cooperative principle can not explain”. Leech’s Politeness Principle is elaborated into six maxims. The first two are Maxim of tact: minimize cost to other, maximize benefit to other. Maxim of generosity: minimize benefit to yourself, maximize cost to yourself. The second two are Maxim of approbation: minimize dispraise to other, maximize praise to other. Maxim of modesty: minimize praise of self, maximize dispraise of self. The last two are Maxim of agreement: minimize disagreement between self and other; maximize agreement between self and other. Maxim of sympathy: minimize antipathy between self and other, maximize sympathy between self and other.

This is the main content of Leech’s politeness principles. The above criteria have the different emphasis. For example, the maxim of tact and the maxim of generosity, maxim of approbation and maxim of modesty, which is the same, have two different aspects. The maxim of tact is referring to how to treat others which is applied to causative Verbal Behavior “request”. But the maxim of generosity is referring to how to treat self which is applied to commitment Verbal Behavior “promise to help”. Analogously, Approbation maxim is referring to how to treat others while Modesty maxim is referring to how to treat self. The Agreement maxim points out that it is not suitable to express directly the diversity viewpoint with other person.

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3 A Comparison of Chinese and Western Courtesy

Languages

What is politeness? This sounds like a simple question. In daily life, we often make judgments about what is polite and what is not polite. To define politeness is by no means an easy job. We may have different understandings on politeness from different viewpoints. Politeness is best expressed as the practical application of good manners or etiquette. It might involve ideas like being tactful, modest and nice to other people. Also, since Politeness is a very important subject of research, many people, home and aboard has defined politeness from different perspectives. Politeness is one of those social virtues which we never estimate rightly but from the inconvenience of its loss. Though perhaps not distinctly perceived when present, its absence is strongly indicated. The difference between a polite person and one who is impolite is very marked, yet those who do not possess good breeding rarely understand its importance and worth.

3.1 Humility Language and Formal Language

The self-denigration is the polite phenomenon of richest Chinese culture characteristics. When Chinese gain the praise or congratulations from others, they usually take the expression like “Nali、Nali”, “Guo Jiang Le”, “Can Kui、Can Kui”, “Cha Yuan Le” to show their modesty. But if we communicate with the westerners in the Chinese habits, the result of communication would fail. Chinese express their

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--------------------------------------------最新精品资料推荐-提供全程指导服务--------------------------------------------- politeness through modesty and lower themselves. For example, the Chinese “请教”“高见”“贵姓”“拜读”“鄙人”“拙作”“愚见”“驾到”“贵干”“寒舍” are difficult to find the corresponding expression in English.

For westerns, it’s offensive to deny others praise. However, the Chinese people think the westerns are too confident, not enough modest to show the politeness. For example: Chinese A: 你的饭菜太香了。 Chinese B: 献丑了。

British A: You are very beautiful. British B: Thank you Chinese B: 过奖了。

British take the expression of “Thank you”. There are many words to show the respect and politeness in English, such as “will”, “would”, “can”, “could”.

From the above we can make a conclusion that the compliment of Chinese and British has the same common. There are more distinguishing in honorific of Chinese and English language.

3.2 Daily Communication Languages

Communication, namely the interaction between people, usually refers to the two

and two or more people through the language and behavior to communicate express opinions, emotion. The human communication is not only a linguistic phenomenon, but also a cultural phenomenon. It is no doubt that communication is of great importance in our daily life. People can not live without communication. Communication is every where. Daily communication is very important to our human the vehicle by which people initiate, maintain, and terminate their relationships with others.

Cultural differences on politeness between western and Chinese can be found in many aspects of daily communication, including addressing, greeting, compliments, apologies, thanks, and so on. In the following, we will look at some cultural differences between China and Western.

3.2.1 Terms of Address

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