从礼貌理论分析中英寒暄语文化起源6页word文档

从礼貌理论分析中英寒暄语文化起源

一、Introduction

Phatic communion is an informal type of discourse that does not cover any functional topics of conversation or any transactions which need to be addressed. It is universal and exists both in eastern and western culture. Although seeming to have little useful purpose，phatic communion is a bonding ritual and a strategy for managing impersonal distance.

Different nations and countries have different ways to perform the phatic communion，and the cultural reason is that different civilization has different ethnical characteristics. As a carrier of culture，speech manifests this difference most. And analyzing and explaining the phatic communion from the view of “face” is the primary approach in the pragmatics. The politeness theory established by Brown and Levinson is the most influential one.

二、A Comparison between English and Chinese phatic communion

Phatic communion rules and topics can differ widely between cultures. Questions about the family are usual in some Asian and Arab countries，while weather is a common topic in regions where the climate has great variation and can be unpredictable，such as England.

1.English Phatic Communion

In English-speaking communities，besides the commonly-used greeting words s uch as“hello”，the selected topic of phatic communion usually depends on any pre-existing relationship between the two people，as well as the circumstances of the conversation. In either case，someone initiating phatic communion will tend to choose a topic for which they can assume shared background knowledge，to prevent the conversation being too one-sided. And the level of detail offered should not overstep the bounds of interpersonal space. There are some common topics:

* The weather

* Television and films

* Sports

2.Chinese Phatic Communion

In Chinese-speaking community，a smile，good eye contact and politeness are expressions of sincerity. These are the beginning of communication. Just like westerners，the Chinese usually pass the time of day with one another as a precursor to getting to the point of a conversation or presentation.

Different conditions require different styles in which conversational greetings may be exchanged. When you meet someone for the first time，the most commonly-used words are: For greeting acquaintances，the words will be more informal

and friendly like the following:

三、Politeness Theory and the difference between Chinese and English Phatic Communion

1.Politeness Theory and Phatic Communion

Politeness theory is first formulated in 1978 by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson. Politeness here is the expression of the speakers’ intention to mitigate face threats carried by certain face threatening acts toward another. Analyzing and explaining the phatic communion from the view of “face” is the primary approach in the pragmatics. And the politeness theory established by Brown and Levinson is the most influential one.

2.Politeness Theory and Chinese Phatic Communion

In Chinese-speaking communities where phatic communion is very important，when people gather，they will use some conventional phatic communion words to show their regards for each other’s life. This is because Chinese culture emphasizes “the positive face”，which requires Chi nese to take a positive part in communication. What’s more，Chinese often pay highly attention to the wholeness of their interpersonal relationships. And this kind of attitude can only be expressed through showing care and giving help. Thus Chinese usually tend to ask some private question about salary and heath to show