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综合理论242学法教法研究课程教育研究浅析英汉礼貌用语的文化差异黄 新（湖北随州职业技术学院 湖北 随州 441300）众所周知，礼貌是人类文明进步的象征，人类礼貌用语的使用，反映了一个民族的文化素质和修养。
在人类的交往中，正确的使用礼貌用语可以让人类融洽地进行交往。
文化背景的差异导致衡量礼貌的标准不同，因此，在跨文化交际中，对英汉两种语言所体现的礼貌现象进行比较和分析是非常必要的。
一、英汉礼貌用语文化差异由来的原因（一）价值观念的差异文化的核心是人们的价值观念 ，不同的语言表达方式在民族的价值观念的形成下是不同的。
受中国传统观念的长期影响，人们的文化观念是集体价值至上，崇尚中庸之道，不愿在大庭广众之下展现自己，人们往往会选择沉默的方式或者报以微笑来回答没有把握的问题，以此来维持自己的形象，但是西方人的文化观念不同，他们推崇的是个人价值至上的文化观念，他们认为对别人的问题选择沉默或者微笑，那就是严重的失礼和不尊重人。
从中西方的对比教育中，我们可以看出，中国的学生比较保守，不善于表现自己。
而西方国家的孩子比较张扬，喜欢逆向思维地看问题，敢于表达自己的看法，性格比较独立。
（二）风俗习惯的不同和思维方式的差异英语中打招呼的用语：“How are you?” “How are things with you?”这些问候语在某些情况下并不是真的要向别人询问问题，而是一种寒暄的客套用语，谈话时的开场白，所以，回答“Fine ， thank you ”这句客套话就可以了。
和汉语中的问候语“吃了吗”“忙什么呢”等是同样的道理。
西方人喜欢比较直接的开场白，开门见山地说话。
而受传统思想的教育，中国人讲话比较含蓄，常常点到为止。
举个常见的例子：You look nice ”（你看上去很好）和“You have lost weight ”（你瘦了）这两句对英美人来说是日常交谈的礼貌用语，而对中国人来讲，前句是打招呼用语，而后句就会让人感到不舒服，以为是对方认为自己生病了或精神不佳。
中西方文化中礼貌用语的对比研究
礼貌用语是一个民族文化的重要组成部分，可表达文明和礼貌的重要
方式。
当比较不同民族文化之间礼貌用语时，西方文化和中国文化作为地
理上和历史上最重要的文化之一，就显得尤为重要。
本文简要介绍了西方
文化和中国文化中礼貌用语的比较，以深入了解两种文化之间的差异。
首先，西方文化中的礼貌以一种直接和简单的方式表达，重视言语上
的实用性。
如果一个人想要客气的表达他的观点，他可以说：“I have a different opinion（我有不同的意见）”。
他也可以直接问一个人：
“Do you agree with me （你同意我的想法吗？）”，而不用太多的文
字来装饰或绕开这个问题。
此外，用于表示尊敬的称呼，如“sir”，
“ma'am”等，也很普遍，但如果人不想使用这些礼貌用语，也没有必要。
然而，在中国文化中，人们重视礼貌用语的审慎使用，并通过言语来
表达尊敬。
如果一个人想要客气的表达他的观点，他可以用一些语言傅润
来表达意思，比如说“I have some different thoughts on this
matter（我对这件事有一些不同的想法）”。
相比西方文化，中国文化中
的礼貌用语较复杂，例如当问一个人他是否同意人的观点时，除了可以问“Do you agree with him（你同意他的想法吗？）”外，还可以说“May I have your opinion on this（您能就此发表意见吗？），这种表达方
式更加礼貌。
从语言学角度对比中英语言文化差异中英语言文化差异是一个复杂而丰富的话题，涉及到语言结构、语法规则、词汇用法、表达方式、交际习惯等多个方面。
本文将从语言学的角度对比中英语言文化差异，探讨两种文化背景下的语言特点和沟通方式，以便更好地理解和应用两种语言文化。
一、语音和语调中文和英文在语音和语调上存在明显的差异。
中文语音较为平板，发音相对单调。
而英文语音较为抑扬顿挫，发音富有变调和音节的起伏。
这种差异反映了中英两种语言文化中人们对语言韵律的不同理解和表达方式。
中文注重平衡和稳重，英文则更偏向于生动和变化。
学习者在掌握两种语言时需要注意语音和语调的差异，避免因为语音上的差异而造成交流障碍。
二、词汇和语法中英两种语言在词汇和语法方面也存在着明显差异。
中文词汇量丰富，有许多成语、俗语和谚语，文言文和口语之间的差异也较大；而英文词汇则更加直接和实用，表达方式更加简洁。
在语法方面，中文重视主谓宾的顺序和修饰成分的多样化，英文则更注重时态、语态和句子结构的变化。
这种差异体现了中英两种语言文化中的思维方式和表达习惯的不同，学习者需要通过实践和对比才能更好地理解和运用两种语言的词汇和语法规则。
三、表达方式和交际习惯中英两种语言文化的表达方式和交际习惯也有所不同。
在中文文化中，人们注重委婉和含蓄的表达方式，讲究礼貌和谦逊；而在英文文化中，人们更加直接和坦诚，喜欢表达自己的观点和情感。
这种差异反映了中英两种语言文化中人们对待沟通和交流的态度和偏好。
在跨文化交流中，学习者需要注意表达方式和交际习惯的差异，避免因为文化差异而造成误解和冲突。
四、习惯用语和语境理解中英语言文化差异体现了不同的思维方式和表达习惯，学习者需要通过对比和实践来更好地掌握和应用两种语言。
语言文化差异也为跨文化交流和交融提供了丰富而深刻的表现形式，促进了不同文化之间的交流和理解。
了解和尊重中英两种语言文化差异，有利于促进不同文化之间的互相学习和交流，提高跨文化交际的能力和水平。
从中英问候语看中西文化差异及原因第一篇范文从中英问候语看中西文化差异及原因在日常生活的交流中，问候语是最基本的沟通方式，它不仅仅表达了人们之间的关心与礼貌，同时也体现了各自文化特点和价值观。
从中英两种语言的问候语中，我们可以观察到中西方在文化上的差异及其成因。
一、中英问候语的差异1. 直接与间接在中文中，问候语往往比较间接。
比如，我们通常会用“你好”或者“吃了吗？”来开始一段对话。
这些问候语并没有直接表达出我们的关心，而是通过一种比较含蓄的方式来暗示。
而在英语中，问候语则相对直接。
比如，“Hello”或者“Good morning”等，这些问候语直接表达了对对方的关心和礼貌。
2. 正式与随意中文的问候语在一定程度上体现了等级观念，比如在不同的场合，我们会使用不同的问候语。
而在英语中，问候语则更加随意，不管是朋友还是陌生人，都可以使用相同的问候语。
二、中西文化差异的原因1. 历史背景中国有着悠久的历史，长期以来，儒家文化强调的是礼仪和等级观念，这种文化特点也体现在了问候语上。
而西方文化则更注重个人主义，他们的问候语更多地体现了对个人的关心和尊重。
2. 社会结构中国传统社会结构强调的是家族和集体，这种社会结构使得人们在交流中更加注重关系和地位。
而西方社会结构则更加注重个人，他们的问候语更多地体现了对个人的关注。
3. 价值观中国传统文化强调的是和谐与保守，这种价值观使得人们在交流中更加注重礼貌和尊重。
而西方文化则更注重直接和自由，这种价值观使得他们的问候语更加直接和随意。
从中英问候语的差异中，我们可以看到中西方在文化上的差异。
这种差异源于历史背景、社会结构和价值观的不同。
了解这些差异，有助于我们更好地理解和交流。
第二篇范文3W1H和BROKE模型视角下的中英问候语差异及原因3W1H模型，即What（什么）、Why（为什么）、Who（谁）、How（如何）的缩写。
而BROKE模型，是背景（Background）、原因（Reason）、对象（Object）、结果（Outcome）、知识点（Knowledge）的缩写。
英汉委婉语对比分析及文化解读中英文委婉语对比分析及文化解读英语是最广泛使用的国际语言之一，它作为跨文化交际的重要语言桥梁之一，在国际交流时流行着委婉的用语表达方式。
在中英文的语言翻译过程中，委婉的表达方式也存在着显著的差异，人们常常可以在语言上看出文化根源的异同。
本文通过对比中英文委婉语句，尝试着分析两者之间所存在文化差异，从而探究其中的文化解读。
首先，要分析中英文委婉表达的文化差异，就要从两种语言的定义入手，从而有助于加深我们的理解。
在英语中，“委婉”的定义指的是对话中表达出对对方的尊敬，表达双方之间的尊重。
委婉的用语含义会随文化而变化，但一般来说，如果双方均采用委婉态度，那么就可以强调他们之间的友好互动。
而中文中，“委婉”一词有两个含义，第一就是“拐弯抹角地夸大或轻描淡写实际情况”；而第二个含义则是“为了表达某程度的尊重而使用的用语”，它更多的是指一种社会行为态度，而非语言的表达方式。
根据上述的定义，我们可以清楚地看出中英文的委婉表达存在着不同的文化差异。
从语言表达上来看，中文的语言表达方式更主观，更加侧重文字的艺术性，力求“含蓄”。
而英语中的委婉表达方式则比较直白，以客观论述为首要，更侧重表达双方之间的尊重。
此外，从社会文化角度来看，中文中的“委婉”更多的表现在艺术性上，以“折中从容”的姿态来表达，而英语中，“委婉”侧重于直接表达对对方的尊重，追求交流的真实性。
在面对不同的文化背景时，中英文的委婉表达方式都处于一种“含蓄”的状态，表达的用意则不同。
最后，中英文委婉表达中存在着明显的文化差异，在现实中，通过观察可以发现，他们在表达时各执己见皆不缺。
因此，跨文化交流中，两种委婉语用法对于提升交流效果都有很重要的作用，要做到正确理解，应该掌握交际中的文化特点，尊重彼此的文化背景，最大限度地汲取文化习俗，从而确保正确地借鉴。
另一方面，为了更好地理解双方的文化差异，我们也可以继续深入研究，尝试使用不同的社会文化学习方法，结合个体的知识体系，从而更好地构架新的文化含义，促进跨文化之间的理解。
中西礼貌用语对比分析礼貌是人们在社交交往中表现出来的一种尊重和关心他人的态度。
尽管中西方文化有很多差异，但礼貌与尊重他人的原则在各个文化中都是普遍存在的。
本文将对中西礼貌用语进行对比分析，以便更好地了解中西方文化的差异。
中西方在问候和道别方面存在着一些差异。
在中文中，我们常用的问候语是“你吃了吗？”这是一种表达关心和关注他人健康的方式。
而在西方，人们通常会问候“你好吗？”或者是“最近怎么样？”这种问候方式更加注重个人的感受和最近的情况。
在感谢和道歉方面也存在一些差异。
在中文中，我们常用的感谢用语是“谢谢”，而在西方，人们通常会使用“thank you”来表示感谢之情。
在道歉方面，中文中常用的道歉用语是“对不起”或者“不好意思”，而在西方，人们通常会使用“I’m sorry”来表达道歉之意。
在请求和邀请方面也有一些不同。
在中文中，我们通常会使用委婉的方式来表达请求，而在西方，人们通常会更加直接地向他人表达自己的需求。
在邀请方面，中文中常用的邀请用语是“请你来...”，而在西方，人们通常会使用“Would you like to come...”来表达邀请之意。
中西方在对待长辈和陌生人方面也存在一些差异。
在中文中，我们通常会使用尊敬的称呼来称呼长辈和陌生人，比如“先生”、“女士”等。
而在西方，人们通常会直接使用对方的名字来称呼他人，而不加任何修饰词。
这显示了中西方文化中对长辈和陌生人的态度和尊重程度的差异。
中西礼貌用语在问候和道别、感谢和道歉、请求和邀请以及对待长辈和陌生人方面存在一些差异。
虽然存在这些差异，但中西方文化都注重礼貌和尊重他人的原则，这是人与人之间和谐相处的基础。
通过了解和尊重对方的文化差异，我们可以更好地理解和交流，促进不同文化之间的互相理解和友谊。
从中西文化差异角度探讨中西礼貌用语的差异Pleasure Group Office【T985AB-B866SYT-B182C-BS682T-STT18】从中西文化差异角度探讨中西礼貌用语的差异中西礼貌用语的差异主要由于中西文化的差异造成，而中西文化的差异则与中西思维方式的不同密切相关。
在英语中，礼貌用语中，在表达感激的时候会说“Thank you”。
但是很多时候其实也应该说“Thank you”。
比如别人夸你衣服很漂亮的时候，你有时可能会说“No,no,it is just a very ordinary dress.”而这样的回复会引起对方的不快，会让对方觉得自己缺少审美能力。
而对国人而言，这样的回答则是谦虚。
一、中西文化差异的表现??1、思维模式的异同??中国人喜欢站在生命的更高处思考问题，跳出现实，重视对生命的思考，在对人和人之间，人和自然界之间，人的精神和肉体之间的关系都有深刻的思考。
西方人偏重于逻辑思维或者理性思维；中国人属于抽象思维或者感性思维。
而西方人更注重于从物质世界入手，去探索和求证问题的本源。
2、对待个人利益与集体利益、国家利益的异同中国人更看重集体利益，包括家族利益、国家利益，主张控制自己的欲望，反对极端个人主义和英雄主义，往往把个人利益和集体利益，国家利益联系在一起，富于爱国和献身精神。
而西方人更重视个体利益，追求人权，崇尚自由，认为如果连个体利益都无法保障，更谈何集体利益，正是这样的思想认识，最终推动了西方民主政治的发展；??3、民主观念的异同??中国人注重精神的自由，把自由、民主看成是君主权贵的赏赐。
所以我们的人民总在渴望青天，希望能有好官的出现为民谋利。
而西方的民主政治认为，政出于民，一切的政权只是人民授予，让政府来行使的一种公权力。
??4、科学观的异同??中国人更相信先人的经验和权威，相信古人甚至超过相信今人，迷信权威，缺乏创新和探索精神。
而西方人重视实践和理论，富于探险精神，倡导理性思维。
汉英礼貌用语对比与分析06秋专升本学员张先存学号z06205604001礼貌作为一种社会现象,普遍存在于各国语言中,但由于语用文化价值差异和语用习惯特点的不同,人们对礼貌的理解、处理和运用方式则各不相同.中西方由于受到不同文化、民族心理和价值观的影响,会用不同的方式来表达自己的礼貌言行.而这种差异往往会影响我们进行有效的跨文化交际,因此在英语学习中我们有必要了解汉英礼貌语用方面的差异.一。
汉英礼貌用语的对比：例1：问候语以什么样的方式与别人见面打招呼，分手告别，也因东西方文化传统和风俗习惯的不同而不同。
西方人则注重逻辑，他们讲究科学，追求准确、系统的分析和实证，西方形式逻辑中有三大定律，即同一律、矛盾律、排中律；在演绎推理中有三段论，即大前提、小前提和结论。
在语言上表现为重视语言的形式，人称要一致、单复数有讲究、时态有要求，主语和谓语要配合，介词讲究搭配等等，每个细节都不能马虎。
例如：中文说“你吃了吗？”可以表示字面意义，也可以表示问候，这里的“吃”字后面的“饭”可以省略，不论早饭、中饭、晚饭都可以这样说，也不管什么时候吃的。
而英语中可能要说三句不同的话“Have you had your lunch/super/dinner?” 而且他们并不能用来表示问候，除了字面意义，这三句话可能用来暗示一种邀请，但说话人至少要考虑到两个问题：吃的是哪一餐饭，用什么时态，这些问题不清楚，这句话就没法说。
所以，中国人见面时常用的客套话是：“吃过饭了吗？”“你去哪儿？”而与英美人打招呼，不要说“Have you had your meal?”或者“Where are you going?”他们会以为你想邀请他一起外出用餐或你在打听他的私事呢。
而当他们正等着听你的下文时，你却谈起旁的事情。
这样往往会使对方觉得莫名其妙。
他们会想，不请我吃饭，干吗问我吃过饭没有？即使你见他正在用餐，一般也不能说“Are you having meal?”（你在吃饭？）或者“You are going to the dinning room?”（你去吃饭吗？）他们认为这简直是无用的话，明知故问，你不是看见我正在吃饭吗？又如你正巧遇见一个美国人在修理他的汽车，你走过去说声“Hello. ”或者“Hi.”就行了。
英汉礼貌语的语用差异摘要：使用礼貌语是不同的社会群体共有的普遍现象,是人类社会文明的标志。
然而由于受不同文化的制约,英汉礼貌用语也有所不同。
本文试从英汉两种不同语言的礼貌原则入手，通过对英汉礼貌用语的语用差异进行对比,分析其产生的原因，期望减少跨文化交际过程中的误解和文化冲突，使说话者成功进行跨文化交际。
关键词：礼貌语、语用差异、跨文化交际Pragmatic Discrepancies of Politeness in Chinese and Englishfrom the Point of Cross-cultural CommunicationAbstract：The use of politeness is a common phenomenon in various societies and groups, and it is the mark of human social civilization.However, affected by different cultures, politeness has specific characteristics. Aiming at reducing misunderstanding and cultural conflict and promoting successful communication in the process of cross-cultural communication, this paper begins with the different principles of politeness, contrasts the pragmatic discrepancies of politeness and analyzes the causes for the differences in Chinese and English.Key words:politeness；pragmatic discrepancies；cross-cultural communication1、英语礼貌原则美国语言学家Grice提出了言语交际中的合作原则。
从语言学角度对比中英语言文化差异中英语言文化差异是指中文和英文在语言结构、词汇使用、语言习惯等方面存在的差异。
从语言学的角度来看，中英语言文化差异主要体现在以下几个方面：一、语音音素和语音规则的差异中文和英文在语音音素上存在一定差异。
中文中，音节的音质较为简单，音节中的声母和韵母构成了音节的基本重要部分。
而英文中，辅音相对较多，辅音和元音的组合形式也较为复杂。
英文的元音数量较多，元音的发音也比中文更加多变。
二、词汇差异中英语言的词汇有很大的差异。
中文的词汇较为丰富，很多个词汇可以有多种不同的意思，一个字可以表示一个意义，也可以结合其他字形成词组，具有很高的词汇灵活性。
而英文的词汇相对较为简单，虽然英语也有同音或近音的词汇，但在一般情况下，同一个词只有一个特定的意义。
三、句法和语法差异中文和英文在句法和语法上也存在差异。
中文属于屈折语言，名词和形容词没有单/复数、性别、格的变化，这使得中文的句子结构相对简单。
而英文则属于有形态变化的屈折语言，名词和形容词的单/复数、性别、格等变化较多，使得英文的句子结构相对复杂。
四、文化差异中英语言的文化背景也造成了一定的差异。
中文表达更偏重于内涵，强调文化内涵的分享和传递，注重语言的修辞手法，而英文表达更注重事实表述，偏向于简洁和直接。
因为中英两个文化的差异，导致中英语言的使用中也会出现一些行为规范的差异，例如语气的使用、尊称的使用等。
中英语言文化差异在语音音素、词汇、句法和语法等方面都存在一定的差异。
这一差异主要源于两个语言的历史文化差异以及语言的不同特点。
了解和体会这些差异有助于更好地掌握和运用两种语言，促进中英两种文化之间的交流与理解。
河南科技大学毕业论文题目The Comparison of English-Chinese Politeness from the Perspective of Context Culture从语境文化角度对比中英礼貌用语的差异性姓名吴芸祎院系外国语学院专业英语指导教师王卓2016 年5月30日ABSTRACTNowadays as the globalization quickens, the cultural communication of China-Westerns has become increasingly frequent than before. During this period, the politeness usage is inevitably. However, due to the impact of different context cultures, there are obvious differences existing in the daily English-Chinese politeness.The concept of context culture is put forward by American anthropologist Edward Hall by earliest. The book beyond culture published in 1976, firstly mentioned the notion of high context and low context cultures and discussed its function as well. The essence of exchange between different languages, is the culture collision and integration between different contextual background.From the perspective of context culture, this paper will further explore the characteristics and diversities about English-Chinese politeness in details, and to summary the general features of the verbal styles about this two languages. This paper includes three parts. The firstwill givea definition of high context and low context culture to Edward Hall, and distinguish the respective features. The second part will introduce five kinds of basic politeness, that is address, greeting, invitation, compliment and apology. Those of which have different characteristics due to the impact of various context cultures. The last part will analyze the reasons for the formation of this two different context cultures from the perspective of history, and to summarize the general verbal styles of these two languages.KEY WORDS: context culture; politeness; verbal style摘要在全球化进程加快的今天，中国与西方国家的交流日益频繁。
在交流的过程中，我们必不可少的使用一些礼貌用语。
然而由于受到不同语境文化的影响，中英日常礼貌用语存在着明显的差异性。
语境文化这一概念最早是由美国人类学家爱德华。
霍尔提出的。
他在1976年出版的《超越文化》一书中，首次提到了高语境和低语境文化，并探讨了其意义。
不同语言之间的交流，实质就是在不同语境背景下的文化碰撞与交融。
本文将从语境文化这一角度出发，深入从细节上探讨中英礼貌用语的特征及差异性，从而总结中英两种语言风格的一般特点。
本文主要分三个部分，第一部分介绍霍尔对于高低语境文化的定义并区分其特征；第二部分主要阐述了五种基本礼貌用语，即称呼语，招呼语，邀请语，致谢与和道歉语，它们在不同语境文化影响下的特点；最后一部分从历史角度分析两种不同语境文化的成因，并且总结中英两种语言的风格特征。
关键词：语境文化；礼貌用语；语言风格OUTLINEIntroduction:The theory of context culture was earliest put forward byEdward T﹒Hall. Intercultural communication is rapidly increased, so it’s necessary to recognize the language feature in different context culture. Basing on Hall’s theory, this paper introduces five kinds of politeness, and compare their different verbal style of English and Chinese, from which a higher cultural mode is displayed after the discussion. Ⅰ. An introduction to context culture1.1 Definition to high-context and low-context1.2 The comparisonto the two context culturesⅡ. English-Chinese politeness under different context culture2.1 Terms of address2.2 Terms of greeting and leave-taking2.3 Terms of invitation2.4 Terms of compliment2.5 Terms of apologiesⅢ.Analysis to the verbal style of English and Chinese3.1 Analysis of the reasons to the two context cultures3.1.1 The formation of low-context3.1.2 The formation of high-context3.2 Summary to the verbal style of English and Chinese3.2.1 English verbal style3.2.2 Chinese verbal styleConclusion:High-context and low-context as a category of cultural background, has a significant effect in cultural communication and broadcasting. After discussion, we will recognize the identity of difference between this two context cultures. The uniqueadvantage of Chinese culture will become more visible to us. In a word, high-context culture as an art form, not only benefits to to a smooth intercultural conversation, but to a further application and development of traditional Chinese culture.IntroductionContext is the environment of language usage. Itreflects a tendency of using high-context or low-context messages in routine exchange. The choices of communication mode are determined by personal cultural background. People of the same cultures have similar experience and desire. Edward T. Hall suggested that one of the functions of culture, is to provide a barrier with high selectivity between human and environment. To deal with the complex cultural system, there is a solution with higher requirement- programming procedures for individual or organization in advance with the help of contextual mechanism.Edward T. Hall was a forerunner in the field of intercultural communication. He was a famous anthropologist, cultural scientist, psychoanalyst. He also read many original and modern writings cursorily, and had a rich experience. Hall devoted himself in writing on his whole life, and composed a large number of well-known works, such as Silence languages, beyond culture, Dancing of life, Spacial relation studies and so on. His most famous book, Beyond Culture, was published in 1976. It firstly put forward the term of context, and the two notions: high-contextand low-context.Politeness is the terms with esteem and amity in daily communication. Etiquette is a standard code of conduct, and the usage of politeness is the specific performance of respecting others. Therefore, it is vital important to use appropriate politeness, especially in public occasions. Not only an esteem to others, but also a reflection of self-cultivation. The atmosphere between each side would be harmonious at the meanwhile. There are five basic politeness introduced in this paper. After discussion, the general characteristics of politeness in different context cultures would be embodied distinctly in the end.Ⅰ. An introduction to context cultureThere is a compact correlation among information, communication and context. Communication is the method of information transmission. And context is the environment of information interpretation. The degree of the dependence on environment varies from context cultures. According to beyond culture, culture is contextual. The function of language (coded information) and context are different in the transmitted process. There are two channels of meaning delivery in a conversation, through the context or the utterance. According to these, Hall divided culture into high-context and low-context.1.1 Definition to high-context and low-contextContext is the circumstance of communication, and “contextual” is an important method to deal with a complicated communication. All the information is contained in this contextual system. According to Hall, “Context and meaning is closely interrelated. Although language code can be analyzed on some levels out of context,but in real life, code,context and meaning can only be seen as different aspects of the same matter”. (Hall,1976)..Hall believed,“high context messages are distributed on one end of continuum, while low context messages on the other end. The so-called high context communication or high context messages refer to: most of the messages are either embodied in physical environment or are internalized by man.Veryfew of them need to be encoded,explicated and outputted,but low context communication is quite the contrary, that is to say, a large number of messages are incorporated into explicit codes”. (Hall,1976).In high-context, the meaning of speech actderives from the speaker’s background. As to Hall, “the characteristic of high-context interaction is:prefabricated messages are stored in the receiver and his environment. Underthe circumstances, the conveyed messages only contain very little information”. (Hall, 1976). That is to say, most information is conveyed in the physical surroundings or internalized by the speaker, and very little is arranged in verbal message.Something a speaker wants to express is usually more than what he has said. So it’s unnecessary to speak out everything and to understand accurately. People of high-context countries such as Japan, Korea, and China, regard their surroundings as their main information source instead of verbal message. The message transferred environment, and the emotional expression, are exactingly comprehended by both sender and receiver.While in low-context culture, it is the verbal message rather than the context that is emphasized inthe bilateral communication.Hall suggested, “in low context interaction, most information must be included in the conveyed messages so that it can make up for the missing information”. (Hall,1976). That is to say, everything needs to be explained as explicit as possible through language. There isn’t a common environment shared between the talkers. In low-context cultures, such as German and American, most of the message and emotion are directly contained in verbal message. Few are embedded in context, or stored in the sender and receiver.1.2 The comparison of the two context culturesAccording to the exchange characteristics of high-context and low-context, M. W. Lusting and Koester has summarized seven features respectively.High context cultures (HC) Low context cultures (LC)Implicit, connotative Explicit, clearSecret code information Plain code informationMore no-verbal code More verbal codeReaction rarely exposed Reaction exposedDifferent between circles Flexible between circles Closely interpersonal relationship Not closely interpersonal relationHigh promise Low promiseFlexible time arrangement High time organization(Lusting,2009) From the comparative analysis above, there is a obvious difference between high-context and low-context. High-context mainly depend on the program pre setup and organized, to compete the information transmission. This program concludes many unwritten traditional customs, self-evident value point and the generally accepted act mode in the society. The low-context, on the contrary, emphasizes the reason and logic. It is on the rational basis, using the logical methods to deduct the conclusion, the specific language to transmit the information. It usually regards the equivocation as a kind of ambiguous thinking and a lack of sincerity.There are four main features of how high-context and low-context cultures affect the message exchange styles.First, the indirect verbal interaction is extremely important in high-context cultures, while the direct, in low-context cultures. In low-context interaction, information is usually shared in the utterance, rather than the environment. However, people in high-context cultures prefer to perceive information from the available environment and use the indirect expressions to send the information and express requirements.Second, people in low context culture tends to understand message’s meaning at one level only, while in high context, at many socio-cultural levels. As to low-context cultures, the meaning they can understand is external, simple, and unique, which means that they are ableto described by language. On the contrary, there is a reference meaning as well as several connotative meanings in a sentence, most of which is probably impossible to express by words and they can be understand by people’s personal experience and social background.Third, the value of individual is highly valued in low-context, the group membership, however, is paid much attention in high-context. People of low-context appreciate the value of independence and self-consciousness, and respect personal privacy. They prefer accomplish their works by their own instead of asking for helps. In high-context, however, people are accustomed to working together and the value of collectivism is deeply rooted in their hearts. The achievement belongs to the collective labor and the person himself just contribute a little portion to the whole work.Forth, the high-context communication relies more on outside environment and emotional factors while the low relies more on logic. Members of high-context have more concrete spiritual requirement and emotional conveyance in a conversation. Yet the low-context communication, on the contrary, employs the exacting expression and logic thought. Grice’s concept of “Quantity maxim” is embodied in this verbal style, which shows a communication’s characteristic of rational, simple, intuitive, and lack of varieties.Members of different context cultures have completely different verbal styles. After analysis above, we can easily discover that people of low-context prefers a direct and exacting communication, and think highly of the value of individualism. However, in high-context, the indirect and emotional communication style is more acceptable, and people are inclined to a collective labor than individual activity.Ⅱ.English-Chinese politeness under different context culture Context cultures influence the speech acts in many aspects. They vary in different groups of different background. Here we will introduce five politeness in details: address, greeting and leave-taking, invitation, compliment and apology., and compare the response respectively under different context. Through the comparison we will find the difference between Chinese and English speakers in conducting their speech behaviors.2.1 Terms of addressThe forms of address in routine conversation show the speaker’s personal relationship with each other. People in different countries share a diverse kinds of address. As a startingpoint of a conversation, using an appropriate verbal of address will be beneficial to a frequent communication. However, the address of English and Chinese are completely different.Without knowing the correct form, some mistakes are likely to appear in a first exchange.The forms of address between Chinese and English have their own features due to their different cultural patterns. For example, in a Chinese proper name, surname is arranged in front of given names. While an English name, conversely, is behind given name. Westerners used to address the given name directly, while in China the surname is used more frequently to show a person’s esteem to others.The occupational titles can also be used as address terms in China, while there are no equal expressions in English. Following is a sample occurred between a Chinese student (C) and an English teacher (E):C: Teacher, how do you do?E: How do you do? Where do you teach?C: No, I’m not a teacher. I’m a student.Members of low-context cultures tend to regard every individual as equality and independence. They prefer using a first name instead of a full one or a honorific. For example, there is a teacher named Andrew Hallidie. The students usually call him Andrew than teacher Hallidie or Mr Andrew. The former is more convenient than the latter. And the word “teacher”is an occupational title. In the sample above, an inconsistency occurred when the student (C) called the teacher (E) teacher, yet E thought that C was self-introducing and was a teacher too. Because westerners address others directly, and self-introduction is always in the beginning. It is a manifest habit of low-context to address the given-name.On the contrary, members of high-context have a habit of using a surname or a honorific, to shows an admiration to others. As to them, using honorific is an etiquette. It is used to address others who are unfamiliar, or have a higher social status. Chinese are concerned more of others social classes in routine conversation. It is impolite for a person of low status to address his superior directly. Besides, the occupational titles, such as teacher, professor, are used as a honorific as well. In the sample, the Chinese student called his teacher teacher reverently, for “teacher” is a higher social class rather than a occupation. In all, this Chineseaddress system is dominated by social status, which is a symbol of high-context cultures.Another phenomenon of Chinese address is that, kinship terms have extended its primary meaning of closely relationship and have generalized usage. Most of the kinship terms are not only used to intimate people, but also to others irrelevant and without blood relationship. Some terms, such as“police uncle” (警察叔叔), “sister Wang” (王大姐), “old grandpa” (老爷爷), “old grandma”(老奶奶), are honorifics, which can be used to all people without familial relationships.This phenomenon occurred only in high-context cultures, which also stand for an eastern civilization.2.2 Terms of greeting and leave-takingGreeting and leave-taking are two terms frequently used in daily conversation. It is an important link to establish a social connection and stabilize the relationship between people. As to R.A. Hudson, “the structure of human interaction consists of three parts: Greeting-Business-Farewell.”(Hudson, 1996). People can not start a conversation without greeting, and can not maintain the relationship without leave-taking.People of different cultural background have different habits of greetings. Following is three samples. These occurred in a similar scenes, between people of the same or different countries.Sense 1American 1: Hello! Long time no see. How’s everything?American 2: Pretty good. Thanks. How about you?American 1: Not bad. Keeping busy.Sense 2American: Hello! Long time no see, how’s everything?Chinese: Pretty good. How about you? What is your job now? Your son must have grown up. How old is he?American: He is 8 years old. (Not very happy. It’s none of your business!)Sense 3Chinese 1: Hello! Lao Li, where are you going now?Chinese 2: I’m going to pick up my grandson, he is about to leave school. Have you had your meal, Lao Zhang?Chinese 1: Not yet. My wife is preparing the dinner. So I came out for a walk.People in low-context cultures greet others directly and simply. Terms, such as“Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “How are you”are commonly used in greetings (in sense 1). Westerners feel it awkward when being inquired about their ages, occupations and even income. In sense 2, the American is unhappy when being asked his job and age. In their opinions, those things are seemed as a personal piracy so that it is impolite to involve them in a conversation. Therefore, to avoid embarrassment, they usually choose the topic of weather to start a conversation especially when meet an unfamiliar person. This is a typical feature of low-context, that people pursue a continuable topic for fear of an embarrassed pause, and the personal privacy is deep-rooted in their minds all the time.In high-context cultures, greeting is an inevitable method in daily conversation as well. Compared to low-context, there is an appropriate commenting on something as a mean of greeting. People often ask some questions, which is regarded as a polite act when meeting friends or acquaintance. So it is no surprising to ask others age, occupation, social status and anything else in a conversation. In sense 3, the Chinese asked some questions to his friend on the road, and his friends responded and asked again. All these commenting is considered as an approach of greeting. As to Chinese, it is the emotional needs that force them to know more about others. More phatic communion would make them feel satisfied and comfortable for both the sender and the receiver. Some embarrassment is avoided and the social distances will be shorten at the same time. This phenomena particularly occurs in high-context cultures.All cultural patterns have leave-taking as well. As a party comes to an end, both of the guest and the host are considering what to say and how to say it appropriately. A generous leave-taking is meant an extra excellent impression to others. People everywhere requires to know some typical tips of a perfect leave-taking.Here are two samples, the first occurred a Chinese guest (C) is about to leave the party held by a foreign friend (E). The second is that an English guest is to leave a Chinese party.Sense 1C: I’ m leaving now. (stand up suddenly)E: Oh......ok, this way.C: I’m sorry to have taken up and wasted so much of your time.E: No waste at all, we just had a wonderful time.Sense 2E: Well, it is lovely to see you again, but I must be going soon. I hope we’ll be able to get together again before long.C: Yeah, yeah. You must be very tired today.E: No tired. Thank you for your kind invitation..C: No, no, just so so. And tomorrow you have to get up very early. Go slowly, please.In western cultures, people are used to context the host with a talk of several minutes, as a sign for his leaving. This line may be as long as two or three sentences (in sense 2), for it is a polite behavior in their mind. This is a typical characteristic of English verbal style, that the guest would say enough to make their conversation moving smoothly without a sudden pause. Most westerners feel surprised by the Chinese short and sudden leave-taking (in sense 1). Besides, the reasons they find are related to themselves rather than their hosts, and the hosts usually won’t detain them. When are the guests to leave, depends on themselves. This is a feature of low-context in which personal willing is respected by people.In China, there is another scene of the leave-taking. While attending a party and it was time to finish, the Chinese guests used to say the tiredness of their hosts before they leave (in sense A). And while inviting a friend to home, they are likely to find excuses of their guest in the end, such as their guests must be busy tomorrow (in sense 2). Anyhow, there are must some excuses to seek if they want to end the party. These excuses are usually very euphemistic and acceptable to others. However, all those excuses are correlative to others rather than themselves. Because people usually consider more for others. It is a distinct feature of high-context culture, expressions seems more tactfully and circumscribes.2.3 Terms of invitationPeople around the world enjoy inviting others to attend a party, or being invited by others. There are many kinds of invitations, such as business meetings, festival celebrations, birthday parties or family reunions. They have a common point, getting together. Both the invites and invitees expect to share memorable time with each other by a harmony and delighted togetherness.Look at the three samples followed. The first is a successful invitation and the next is arefusal. The last is a Chinese invitation translated words by words.Sense 1American 1: Hey, Tony, how about having dinner together this coming Saturday?American 2: Oh. I’m very glad to join in. Where it is?American 1: At Xinya Restaurant. We are planning a supper at 6’olock. You can take a taxi there and get off on the Xinya Ground.American 2: OK. I will come to your dinner at that time. Thanks!Sense 2American 1: Hey, Tony, how about having dinner together this coming Saturday?American 2: I’d like to! But I’m afraid I can’t. I have an exam this weekend.American 1: OK. Good luck to you!American 2: Thanks very much.Sense 3Chinese 1: Hey, Xiao Li, how about having dinner together this coming Saturday?Chinese 2: No, it is too much trouble for you to prepare the dinner.Chinese 1: No trouble at all. We can just have a potluck at Xinya Restaurant.Chinese 2: But it’ll cost you too much. Don’t bother.Chinese 1: It’s a casual dinner. Let’s just have a chat and relax a bit after a busy week. Besides, there aren’t any other people.Chinese 2: But you are being too polite; you always invite me to dinner.Chinese 1: That’s not true at all. OK, it is agreed then. Do come, please, or I’ll be offended.Chinese 2: All right then. Just potluck.(顾曰国, 1992) Comparing the three invitations above, it is easily to find that the invitation of American is briefer than Chinese. There is just a few words an person needs to complete an invitation. As to them, their friend would accept the invitation easily if they are willing to join in (in sense 1). However, if they couldn’t take part in, they would tell them directly, and explain the reasons (in sense 2). So the refusing act is very commonly used in a conversation. This is a feature of low-context cultures. That is, the word of “no” is said directly. There is no taboo oravoidance to these diction. Whether to accept an invitation or not, is determined by their own motivation, rather than the outside world.This scene is completely different in high-context cultures. Chinese people always try to maintain a polite attitude towards others. They choose an euphemistic expression as far as possible so that the people they talk to will have a comfortable and pleasant sense. They feel it awkward to refuse an invitation. The word “no” is too explicit to say in a conversation and there is always some equivalent to moderate it. Besides, even though the Chinese is willing to attend a party, he would not accept it immediately. There are a lot of excuses he found to refuse. In sense 3, the person has been keeping refusing all the times when received a invitation. All these rejections, Such as a bother to the host, the high consume of the dinner and anything else, are polite formulas, not an actual rejection. People in China have more euphemistic terms conveyed by “rejection”. It is named “ke tao ” -a speech act for a political purpose. This act, which is inexplicable to westerners, is universally used by Chinese. That is another phenomenon of high-context cultures.2.4 Terms of complimentContext cultures also affect the ways of compliment. It is a positive evaluation to express the speaker’s appreciation and affection to another person, who has spent energy and time, to offered physical or mental assistance to you. When a speaker is appreciating, his purpose is not only the words he utters, but the response of gratitude obtained from another person.Look at the examples following, there is a compliment between an America and a Chinese. Try to obverse the different response of this two verbal interactions.Sense 1English A: This is really a nice sweaterEnglish B: I’m glad you like it.English A: You did a good job.English B: Thank you /Thanks.Sense 2Chinese A: Your sweater is very good.Chinese B: I bought it only for five yuan.Chinese A: You did the job very well.Chinese B: That’s the result of joint efforts. / There’s still much room for improvement.The term “thanks”is the most frequent expressions in a compliment. In sense 1, it is expressed directly, and accepted by the hearer without any hesitation. This is a notable characteristic of low-context cultures. In addition, the sentence like “I love /like it” or “I’m glad you like it”, which show a personal affection, is more popular and acceptable to westerners, rather than the first word like “you” or “your”, containing more others feeling in a sentence used by Chinese. As to people in low-context countries, their personal feeling is more important than the others. The sense of individualistic is deeply-rooted in their tradition, so they are more likely to convey their approval of praise to another person from the perspective of themselves and showing their own feelings.In China, the compliment is often elaborated with some positive modifiers, such as “very good”, “pretty well”. In sense 2, there are modifiers in the praise. This is because the speaker is not very sure whether the compliment is positive and acceptable to the hearer. There is a risk existing in this speech act. Besides, the receiver is trying to refuse the compliment in a tactful way. As far as they concerned, the attitude of disagreement and self-denigration is an excellent personal quality to show their modesty and humility, so they prefer to say “just so so”, “far from good” or “still much room for improvement” to show modest attitude. People of high-context cultures also value collectivism and attach importance to group cooperation. They prefer to owe their success to collective labor rather than the individual effort. In sense 2, the Chinese B said, “the good job is the result of joint effort”, is a typical characteristic in high-context cultures.2.5 Terms of apologiesAs a speech act, apology is used to express one’s regret to another person. The apologizer may have done something wrong or offended his friend’s benefit, so he has to make a apology to acquire forgiveness and remedy the relationship between themselves. People want to take a high intensity of apology if their mistakes are really serious. Through those apologies, the harmony of each other would be recovered.People in different context-cultures have different styles to express apologies. Here are two samples between America and China. They happened in the same condition, that The boss knocked the cup on the table by accident, and water moistened the document. There are two。
