3。Contrast between Chinese and English Politeness

3。1Politeness principles

Politeness is a same pragmatic phenomenon in different countries。 Nevertheless, because of different values and cultural backgrounds, the politeness principles from China and Western countries are quite different。 In order to master different expressions of politeness, we should first study these politeness principles。

3。1。1Politeness principles of English

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

E Goffman, an United States Scholar, was the first person who put forward the “Face Behavior Theory” early in the 1950s。 This theory can be regarded as a contribution to the study of pragmatics, but the effectiveness of the courtesy language is not fully taken into consideration。 So Brown and Levinson's “Face-saving theory” appeared。 They argue that all members of society have face。 Face has two interrelated aspects: negative face and positive face。 Negative face means that Inpidual has the freedom of action and positive face means the demand of praise because of their public images。 They also believe that speech behaviors are so-called “threat of face behavior”。 Therefore, during their  communication, people will take the corresponding positive courtesy strategies, negative politeness strategies and indirect politeness strategies to preserve their face。 Brown and Levinson also believe that “face” is universal, but in a particular environment it should be subject to some constraints of cultural rules。 论文网

Grice, an American linguist, has pointed out that people’s communication process is not composed by some interrelated discourse, but based on some generally realized conditions。 In order to guarantee the success of communication, speakers and listeners must abide by certain principles。 In this way, they can achieve mutual understanding and mutual cooperation。 For example, speakers and listener should limit their words within a certain range。 The principle of cooperation consists of four categories, each of which includes a criterion and a number of sub-criteria:

(1) Quantity Maxim: focus on the authenticity of discourse or information (Do not say something false you already know, or provide false information。 Do not say something lack of sufficient evidence。)

(2) Quality maxim: focus on the amount of information in words。 ( The information provided should be required for communication。 Do not provide additional or less information。) 

(3) Relevant maxim: pay attention to the fact whether the discourse or information provided is relevant。

(4) Manner maxim: pay attention to the fact whether the discourse or information provided is clear and understood。 (Avoid obscurity; avoid ambiguity; be concise; be well organized。)

Obviously, in our daily communications, no one would comply with these principles so strictly。 Even in some cases, people will deliberately violate these guidelines。 When people deliberately violate these principles, there must exit a deeper implied meaning, which is called “Conversational Implicature”。 In these cases, the two sides of talk should find the true intentions from the literal meanings of the words。 These true intention is “conversation meaning”, which is a key element of smooth language communication。 Later scholars noted that sometimes, the speakers do not abide by the principles of cooperation  because of courtesy needs。 Therefore, politeness principles are very vital when study the principles of cooperation。 Linguist Leech has pointed that the principles of politeness explain some phenomena that the principles of cooperation can not explain。 Therefore, the politeness principles and cooperation principles are complementary to each other。