3。1 Changing the Subject Function

    In actual session, compliment can be placed in different speech acts, and used to convert the topic to make the further communication。 Here is a dialogue between two students in the dining hall。

    A: The food tastes so bad, i don't want to eat itoh, what does your hairpin look like? It is very beautiful。

    B: My sister sent it to me yesterday as my birthday gift。

According to Grice’s cooperative principle, the compliment can make some

contributions to the conversation as it is required at the stage when it occurs,

by the accepted propose or direction of the talk exchange in which you are

engaged。 If A does not add the compliment “It is very beautiful”, B may feel

very abrupt towards the compliment, he doesn’t know, “What does your hairpin

look like” comes  from nowhere, and he will definitely feel puzzled。

    Compliment language could supplement on discourse which was not

complete and convert the topic。

3。2 Coordinating the Consistency of the Relationship of Both Sides

According to Wolfson’s comclusion, the important function of compliment is to coordinate the consistency of the relationship of both sides。 At the same time, Holmes and other scholars believe that the reason why most people use compliment language is to achieve consistency。 This consistency covers a wide

range。 For example, it can express appreciation and gratitude and strengthen 

expectations。 This part is going to analyze these three aspects in detail。

    3。2。1 Expressing Appreciation 

Studies have shown that appreciation and admiration can deepen relations between each other。 So in the daily life, Chinese and westerners like to use various compliment language to express their views, increase the appreciation of others。 For example, “I like your hairstyle”; “Your house decoration is really beautiful”。 The application of these compliment sentences can make the one who is complimented feel happy。 

3。2。2 Strengthening Expectations

Compliment language can also be used for the superior to subordinate to reinforce expectations。

For example, in English class, the teacher compliments or appreciates the students, and says “Well done! You have done a good job!”。 This compliment show essentially the teacher’s expectation to students, and also express his hope that they can do better next time。文献综述

    3。2。3 Expressing Gratitude 

    Compliment language can also be used to express the gratitude from the speaker to the listener。 For example, when the visitor leaves the dinner, he can say, “I love you food very much, it is really nice”。 These words are all compliments from guest to host, which express the speakers gratitude and also reflect the consistency of the relationship。 To sum up, in fact, compliment is a kind of multiple speech act, accurate and reasonable use of flattery language can become social lubricant and maintain the faces of both sides。

IV。 Pragamatic Differences in English and Chinese Compliments

4。1 Differences in Purpose and Object

Compliments are mostly used to please each other, and the complimented people always feel good and happy。 In English, the main function of compliments is to achieve consistency in the relationship between the two sides, namely an equal relation。 In American society, for example, it is often that the superiors compliment the subordinate, or the people in higher status compliment the people in lower status。 For example, “You did a good job”。 And in the context of Chinese culture, compliment language is often marked with the color of certain utilitarian, and it is generally said by people with low status, in order to get the favor of the superior。 In American culture, the phenomenon that elders compliment the younger generation is very common, and they think that this is the affirmation and recognition of their efforts, and also, it is common for family members to compliment each other。 But in China, the elders seldom compliment the younger generation, because they think it is too serious and the complemented may get arrogant。 Also, between husband and wife, or peers, there are seldom complement languages。 But in China, the most common is to compliment the children of other people, such as: “Mrs Zhang, your child is really smart”。 American are also keen to compliment women, no matter what their social background, status as well as their age are。 While in China, it will be rude to remark upon a woman’s appearance or the man who gives compliment will be considered as a crooked。  来;自]优Y尔E论L文W网www.youerw.com +QQ752018766-