Cultural Differences of Chinese and Western Courtesy Languag(2)

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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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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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