The Realization of Politeness in Chinese and English Speech

翟增林 何啸凯

【Abstract】The principle of politeness is the highest principle in conversation. It has different meanings in different cultural contexts. Mastering similarities and differences between Chinese and Western politeness principles and using appropriate expressions are necessary for effective intercultural communication, which plays an important role in improving communication efficiency and avoiding misunderstanding. From the perspective of pragmatics, this article analyzes the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western politeness principles, and proposes a correct method of intercultural communication. This thesis tries to give a brief review of the study of politeness in the English culture,  as well as that in the Chinese culture. Meanwhile, it introduces the main ideas of the theories concerned, namely, Brown and Levinson’s Face Theory, Leech’s politeness principle and politeness maxims in modern Chinese culture. The task is to make comparison of politeness principle between Chinese and English cultures. That is to say, when we are communicating with people from different cultures, it is best to consult what is appropriate in their culture and act accordingly, so as to avoid misunderstandings and pragmatic failure, and that will help English learners develop and improve their pragmatic competence and achieve success in cross-cultural communication.

【Key words】Politeness principle; Language differences; Cultural differences

【作者簡介】翟增林，(指导教师)何啸凯，山东交通学院。

1. An Overview of Politeness Theories

1.1 Politeness Principle

Research into politeness is closely associated with the names of Brown and Levinson and Leech. Brown and Levinson’s Face Theory and Leech’s Politeness Principle are two most influential and successful theories to account for politeness.

1.1.1 Brown and Levinson’s Face Theory

According to the similarities in rights, social status and relations between the two sides of the dialogue, the politeness principle can be divided into: blurt out, negative politeness and positive politeness.

(1) Blurt out

Blurt out is that the two sides directly answer or argue with each other, without considering anything. This is the most impolite in three politeness strategies.

(2) Negative Politeness

Brown and Levinson believe that the negative politeness strategy is that the speaker wishes he could have politeness rather than freedom of speech and action. Take the following words to give an example: “How do you like my hair today?” “What about the type?” “The speaker would like to hear” “Beautiful”. Maybe his hairstyle is terrible.

(3) Positive Politeness

People use positive politeness strategies to satisfy their partners in maintaining their self image. In this case, speakers often regard each other as a group of people or even friends. For example, “How beautiful the weather is!” is a positive politeness strategy.

The above three strategies are arranged according to the principle of progressive increase in politeness. The study of politeness principle is mostly based on these three strategies. However, with the deepening of research. The politeness principle of Brown and Levinson has also been questioned.

1.1.2 Leech’s Politeness Principle

Leech concludes the Western Politeness Principle into six aspects: first, the strategy criterion. This is basically the same as the principle of virtue in Chinese culture. Secondly, the generosity principle. In the process of communication, we should minimize the benefits we get and try to increase the cost we pay. Third, praise criteria. Using compliment language and using less critical words can create a harmonious communication environment. Fourth, the modesty principle. Minimize praise of self and maximize dispraise of self. Fifthly, approval criteria. Try to minimize disagreements between self and others and maximize agreement between self and others. This is in common with the doctrine of the mean in Chinese culture. Sixth, sympathy criteria. Minimize antipathy between self and others and maximize sympathy between self and others.

1.2 Politeness Principles in China

Politeness principles in China can be summarized as follows: First, the principle of respecting names, which refers to appropriately addressing each other in the course of communication. This principle is the result of the long-term development of the concept of “difference between the upper and the lower, distinction between the high and the low, and orderly growth and development” in the Han culture. Second, the principle of self-humility refers to the belittling of oneself or things related to oneself, and giving high praise to others or things related to others. Third, the principle of using elegant language refers to the use of elegant rather than rough language in interpersonal communication. Fourth, the principle of virtue which means to minimize the cost of others’ actions, which embodies the essence of “virtue”.

2 Cultural Differences between Chinese and English Politeness Principles

2.1 Modesty and Self-denigration

In Chinese and English, people respond differently to compliments. In the Chinese culture, when people are praised, they tend to convey modest messages by belittling themselves, such as “lucky this time” and so on. In western cultures, it is considered hypocritical, or a lack of self-confidence. Therefore, it is extremely impolite to do so. In English, when being praised people should express gratitude, and if they want to show modesty, they can use the strategies such as the transfer of the topic, or reduce the praise value rather than completely deny it.

2.2 Terms of Address

Influenced by Confucianism, in Han culture, there is a set of self-modesty. People call themselves “晚生”, “鄙人”, “小弟” and “不才”. They call their sons “小子” and “犬子”. They call their homes “寒舍”, “鄙室” and “陋室”. They call their works “愚作” and “拙作”. And respectfully they call the other party or the person or thing related to the other party as  “您”, “閣下”, “您老”, “令郎”, “令媛”, “府上”, “杰作”, “佳作” and so on. But in English, men are generally called “Mr.”; “academic degree”, “military rank”, “high position”, occasionally use “Esq.” People call unmarried women “Miss” and married named “Mrs”. The first person is “I”, “my”, “mine” and the second person “you”, “you”, “yours”, which is simple and direct.

2.3 Privacy

Privacy is valued in all cultures, but it is much more highly regarded in the English-speaking countries than in the Chinese culture. What is considered as an act of politeness in Chinese culture might simply be regarded as an intrusion into a person’s privacy by an English-speaker. To show concern for others is considered as a polite act in China. That’s why when two Chinese meet, even for the first time, they might begin asking about each other’s age, marital status, offspring, occupation, and even income. The Chinese think that they are being polite by showing concern for the other person, and asking all these questions will help shorten the social distance between themselves and their interlocutors. But speakers of English, should they be asked all such questions, would feel their interlocutor is rudely encroaching upon their privacy.

Notice the following conversation:

“(I feel close to the young man now.) I--an old man, He--a young man

(我立刻对这位同乡越加亲热起来。)

I: How old are you?(你多大了？)

He: Nineteen.(十九)

I: How long have you been in the army?(参加革命几年了？)

He: One year.(一年)

I: How did you join the revolution?(你怎样参加革命的？)

He: I followed the army voluntarily when they retreated to the north.

(大军北撤时我自己跟来的。)

I: Who else are in your family?(家里还有什么人呢？)

He: My mother, father, brother, sister and my aunt.

(娘，爹，弟弟妹妹，还有一个姑姑也住在我家里。)

I: Are you married?...(你还没娶媳妇吧？......)

(e.f. Ru Zhijuan ‘Liliaceous’茹志鹃《百合花》)”

This seems to be an interview or an interrogate in English. It maybe an intrusion into a person’s privacy, but it’s a daily conversation in China. It shows speaker’s concern. It is common to see that English often use a cheerful “Hello!” or something like “How are you?” If they are talking with a stranger, they tend to talk about the weather as a way of greeting. But to Chinese people, they like to ask “Have you eaten?” “Where are you going?” “What are you doing here?” “How much have you earned?” “How old are you?” or “Are you married or single?” All these reflect Chinese attitudinal warmth, but they would be considered as interference in privacy in English.

3. Conclusion

Politeness plays an important role in people’s daily conversation, and impolite language often leads to disharmonious atmosphere in conversation, which makes the communicative purpose unable to be achieved smoothly. However, we need to realize that due to the differences in cultural backgrounds, there are certain differences in the politeness principles between China and Britain. Understanding the similarities and differences of politeness principles in different cultures will affect the maintenance of harmonious interpersonal relationships. Therefore, in cross-cultural communications, it is necessary to grasp the differences and apply the corresponding politeness principles reasonably. Because as a phenomenon of culture, politeness has some differences in different cultures. In order to make intercultural communications go smoothly, we should know more about different cultural backgrounds, respect each other’s customs and traditions, and face up to the differences in thinking modes. Only in this way can we create an appropriate communication environment, promote the smooth progress of cross-cultural communication, and achieve the desired communicative purposes.

References：

[1]George Yule. Pragmatics[M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2000.

[2]He Zhaoxiong. Study of Politeness in Chinese and English Cultures [J].外國语,1995.