东西方礼仪异同点比较英语专业本科毕业论文.doc

摘 要作为一个复杂的普遍的社会现象，礼仪的主要社会作用是维持社会秩序;维护人与人之间友好的人际关系;通过语言行为的方式尽量避免人与人之间的冲突和误会,最终达到人与人之间成功交流的目的。无论是在东方文化习俗中，还是在西方文化习俗中，礼仪长久以来都被认为是各自语言文化中极其重要的组成部分。显而易见的是不同的文化习俗很可能会导致礼仪语用的不同。尽管在中西方两个不同文化背景下礼仪有着相同的社会作用,但是礼仪在两种不同文化中的实际语用是不同的。这种语用的不同恰恰是造成人们在跨文化交际中常常犯语用错误的根源。因此，对中英文中礼貌用语的对比研究能够帮助在中国的英语学习者将英语学的更好,同时还能够提高这些学习者在跨文化交流中的能力。关键词：文化；礼仪；实际的；不同点AbstractAs a complicated universal phenomenon in society, politeness main functions are maintaining social order, maintaining friendly interpersonal relations; reducing conflicts and misunderstandings by means of speech acts so as to attain the aim of communication. In both the East and West cultures, politeness has long been regarded as an indispensable part of language. Obviously, different cultures may lead to different pragmatic politeness. Although politeness has the same social functions in these two different cultures, yet they are different in practical use. These differences often become the source of pragmatic failure in cross-cultural communication. Therefore the comparative of study the differences of English and Chinese in politeness can help English learners in China to learn English language well, and improve their abilities of intercultural communication.Key words: Culture; Politeness; Pragmatic; Differences AcknowledgementsFirst of all, I wish to express my earnest thanks to my tutor Jane for her constructive guidance, insightful perspectives, incomparable patience, and valuable advice. What I especially want to say is that when Jane went over my initiative, second and third drafts, she was critical and strict, but caring and loving at the same time. Owning to this, I benefit a lot from her and have broadened my horizons, as well as enriched my mind.Secondly, I am indebted to all the teachers who have taught me during my four years of college life. Because of their industrious work, I gain my English proficiency step by step.Last but not the least, special gratitude goes to my dear family for 23 years of constant love, consistent support and ardent expectation for me.Finally, I hope to show great thanks to my classmates and friends who always give me encouragement, concern and suggestions. They make me feel that I am surrounded by pure and dense friendship forever. Sincere thanks to you all.ContentsChinese Abstract.IAbstract.IIAcknowledgements.IIIIntroduction1Chapter I Some cultural differences between China and Western with respect to politeness.31.1 Addressing differences.31.2 Greeting and parting differences.31.3 Compliments and Responses differences.41.4 Apologies and Responses differences.51.5 Thanks and Responses differences1.6 Asking Personal Affairs differences.Chapter II Different cultural factors result in cultural differences with respect to politeness.62.1 Different culture origins.62.1.1 In the English-speaking countries, politeness has been related to a certain social location and a certain social group. .62.1.2 In modern Chinese, the concept of politeness have evolved in history from the notion of li .7 2.2 Different cultural values.8 2.2.1 Different understanding on politeness and standards for politeness judgment.8 2.2.2 Different attitude toward the problem of privacy in the perspective of politeness.9 2.2.3 The different attitude toward Individualism in the perspective of politeness.9 Chapter The way to learn enough about the other persons culture to be able to be perceived as polite .113.1 Establishing a right and polite attitude toward cultural differences.3.2 Reading extensively for cultural information.3.3 Attending lectures on culture.3.4 Communicating with native speakers.Conclusion.13Works Cited.14IntroductionAs China entering the WTO and holding the Olympic Games in 2008, the relationship between China and the West in politics, economics, and culture will become closer and closer. Undoubtedly, etiquette will play an important role in this process. As for the definition of etiquette, China and Western really have a different understanding. Chinese thinks that the etiquette is the common behavior standards that all the members must obey, and its purpose is to keep the normal living order of the society. In ancient China, a famous philosopher thinks that etiquette is a principal to deal with the relationship between man and supernatural beings, man and ghosts, man and men. Of course, there are also many words about etiquette in English. For example, courtesy which means courteous behavior, good manners; protocol which means system of rules governing formal occasion, e .g, meetings between governments, diplomats, etc. And these words are all from the same French word etiquette. Therefore, most profound cultural comments of the western etiquette are from the Classical Period according to records of western culture. Today, etiquette becomes the reflection and manifestation of one countrys politics, economy, and culture in peoples social contact. And it includes the principle and moral that people should obey in daily life. Etiquette formed in the process of the deposition of culture and social contact. So every nation has her own etiquette standards which created with the spirit of her nation which formed the cultural differences between different nations. As language is the carrier of the human culture. The differences certainly can reflect in the languages of different nations. So in the following, we will take British and America as the representation of Western in contrast to China, to look at different kinds of cultural differences in etiquette, and then analyze the factors of causing cultural differences with respect to etiquette. Furthermore, we will discuss how to learn western culture well in order to be perceived as polite.Chapter Cultural differences on politeness between western and Chinese can be found in many aspects of daily communication, including addressing, greeting and parting, compliments, apologies, thanks, etc. In the following, we will look at some cultural differences between China and Western with respect to politeness.1.1 AddressingBoth western and Chinese people have two kinds of personal namesa surname anda given name. But the order and the use of these names in the two languages aresomewhat different. In China, the surname comes first and then the given name. And people like add“小”before their family names. Such as“小王”、“小郑”、“小李”、“小徐”and so on. While westerners names are written and spoken with the given name first and the family name last. So John Smiths family name is Smith, not John. In a formal setting, people address men as Mister (abbreviated asMr.), married women as Misses (abbreviated as Mrs.), and unmarried women as Miss(abbreviated as Ms.).These days many women prefer to be addressed using the abbreviationsMs.Or M., pronounced miz. If the person has an honor of M.D.or PH.D, they will often be addressed as Doctor (abbreviated as Dr.). Faculty is addressed as Professor (abbreviated as Prof.). In an informal situation, westerners will introduce each other by first name, without titles, and occasionally by just the last name. If you are introduced to somebody by first name, you can address him or her by first name the next time you meet. The only exception would be for someone who holds an important position, such as the university president or provost. Unless they tell you otherwise, faculty should be addressed using their title and last name (e.g., Professor Smith). When in doubt, use the formal manner of address, because it is better to stand on the side of formality. It is also appropriate to ask how they prefer to be addressed. Children should always address adults in the formal fashion, using their title and last name. Another difference is about the form of addressing. From the viewpoint of sociolinguistics, forms of addressing can serve as an indication of the relationship of power and solidarity in the society. In calling their superiors or elders, Chinese are accustomed to the nonreciprocal or asymmetrical addressing, in other words, they use “title +surname” to address their superior or elders rather than call them surnames, The Chinese tend to obey the polite principle of depreciating oneself and respecting others to show appropriate respects towards the persons being addressed, otherwise, the addresser may be considered as ill mannered, ill educated or rude. But in English speaking countries, people have a tendency to follow the reciprocal or symmetrical addressing. Although they are different in age and status, they can call the other directly, even first names except when they call the doctors, not arousing offence between them, but demonstrating the sense of intimacy and the conception of” Everyone is created equal”. Chinese people feel unnatural addressing a westerner by his given name, feeling that it indicates too close a relationship. While westerners may feel that if a Chinese insists on using his surname, it indicates an unwillingness to be friendly and maintains a gap between them. So the use of forms like “Miss Mary” or “Mr. Smith” may be a Chinese form of compromise. With Miss Mary, the use of the given name indicates friendliness, but the addition of the title indicates the respect they feel they ought to show. And with Smith, the lack of a title indicates friendliness, but the use of the surname sounds too intimate. However, both addressing used by the Chinese sound very strange and uncomfortable to the westerner.1.2 Greeting and PartingWhen people meet acquaintances or friends, people usually greet each other. The purpose of greeting is to establish or maintain social contact. So formulaic expressions are often used, but such formulaic expressions often cause conflicts because of the great cultural differences between Chinese and native English speakers. In English, people often employ the following expressions to greet each other “Good morning/evening/afternoon” “Fine day, isnt it?” “How is everything going?” “Have you eaten yet?” “What are you going to do?” “Where have you been?”etc. Westerners treat them as real questions. While in Chinese, we always say “你吃了吗？”“你上哪里去？”“你干什么去？” to show our consideration.Parting may be divided into two steps. Before the final prating, there is a usual leave-taking. Western and Chinese cultures have diverse ways to deal with leave-takings. Firstly, in English society, people often find out the leaving reasons from “I” perspective, such as “I” am afraid I must be off, I have to relieve the baby-sitter” etc. Western people believe that to terminate the visiting or talking is not of ones own free will, but because of some other arrangements, therefore they always try to make their leaving sound reluctant by finding some reasons and apologies for it to make the leaving acceptable for both parties. English speakers often signal several times before leaving. “Well, its been nice to see you again. I do enjoy our talk and the lovely dinner, but I must be going soon”. Thank you very much for asking me over. I hope well be able to get together again before long”In Chinese society, people almost make an excuse for leaving from “you” perspective. Such expressions include “你挺忙的，我就不多打扰了。”“你一定累了，早点休息吧，我要告辞了。”etc. With these words, they may stand up from their seats. Chinese leave-taking is very short and quick. Western people think it so abrupt that they do not prepare for it. While moving to the door, Chinese employ expressions of apology like“对不起没，打扰了。”“对不起，占用你不少时间。”It should be noted that these expressions employed by Chinese guests to show concern for their hosts can only be appropriate for business visits in the English environment.1.3 Compliments and ResponsesTo compliment is to praise the addressees virtues, ability, behavior, appearance, clothing, personality and belongs. Appropriate compliments can serve as effective supplementary means in interpersonal communication. Western and Chinese culture are complete opposites about compliment. A western hostess, if she is complimented for her cooking skill, is likely to say,” Oh, I am so glad that you liked it. I cook it especially for you.” Not so is a Chinese hostess, who wills instead apologies for giving you “Nothing”. She will say“随便作几个菜，不好吃。”If translate this into English “I just made some dishes casually and they are not very tasty.” Perhaps the foreigner will think why you invite me to you family and have the bad food. You doesnt respect me at all. The English-speaking people are more active to praise others and to be praise than Chinese people. For example, the American are “straight forwardness”, the Chinese take pride in “modesty”. That modesty has left many a Chinese hungry at an Americans table, for Chinese politeness calls for three refusals before one accepts an offer and the Americans hosts take ”no ” to mean “no ”, whether it is the first, second or third time.Still bigger differences exist in peoples attitude towards compliments, i.e., in the response to compliments. Chinese tend to refuse it, although they do feel comfortable about the compliments. So many westerners simply feel puzzled or even upset when their Chinese friends refuse their compliments. Because The Chinese people regard modesty as a most valuable virtue, so they seldom agree to the compliment on their own.1.4Apologies and ResponsesIf wrong things are done, there must be apologies .As to how to offer apologies; both western and Chinese people may say “I am sorry.” “I apologize for” Etc. But Chinese would like to apologize for the crowded state of their dwellings and for small numbers of dishes, although the room is big enough and there are many dishes. Chinese hold these to express self-depreciation in the way of courtesy, not having other implication. But the westerners would wonder, since the room is so large and there are so many dishes, why do they say so? May be they do not welcome our visit; they dont like us to eat more. When Chinese contact with westerners, if they do not know these differences, certainly will lead to misunderstanding. The ways to respond to apologies are different, too.A: Oh, Im sorry. I forget it.B1: It doesnt matter.B2: Thats all right.B2 is westerners answer. B1 is a Chinese person answer “It doesnt matter” is a translation of “没关系”from Chinese, which is a common pattern in Chinese to respond to apologies. If a Chinese uses this to respond to apologies, westerners will think that he is a sharp person, who even cannot forgive a very little wrong thing.1.5 Thanks and Responses“Thank you” is widely used in English to show gratitude in such cases as being invited, helped, given a gift, etc. Cultural differences exist between Chinese and western in how to express thanks and responses. In fact, “Thank you” is used in English for more than acknowledging favor or gratitude, and it is often a means to show politeness. On many occasions, the Englishmen use this utterance while the Chinese may say “有劳您了。”or do not say a word at all but just smile or nod. As a matter of fact, “Thank you ” is used more widely by westerners than Chinese using“谢谢”, for minor favors like borrowing pencil , asking directions, requesting someone to pass on a message , receiving a telephone, etc “Thank you” not only shows politeness but also carries a persons grateful feeling for those who offer help. Without using expressions of gratitude, misunderstandings may arise because the help seems to be taken for granted and is not appreciated. For westerners, each person is an equal individual, whether he is a family member or not. In china, “谢谢”is not frequently used between intimate friends and family members because it may imply a certain distance between the addresser and the addressee. Native speakers may respond to “Thank you” by saying “You are welcome /Its a /my pleasure/ Not at all/ dont mention it/Thats all right” While Chinese people may say:“这是我应该做的”， which may convey to westerners the message that the Chinese did not really want to do it, or that he/she did it only because it is his/her duty. This message is quite different from what the Chinese speaker intended to express.1.6 Asking Personal Affairs People from China do not regard it as asking personal affairs when they ask others name、year、marital status、wages、personal life、belief and political points. It is regard as concerns. While the westerns will think you encroach on their right of privacy. When we talk to the westerns, we must avoid asking some impolite questions like this:” How old are you?”、“Are you married？”、“How many children do you have？”、“How much do you make？”、“Whats your weight?”、“Do you go to the church？”Chapter Different cultural factors may result in cultural differences with respect to politeness, and consequently, the acknowledgment of the factors that affect the cultural differences on politeness will facilitate the understanding of such differences, part of whi