中美对待称赞的区别
从称赞应答语看中美文化差异
Title:An Analysis on Comparison Between China and America on Culture From Compliment Responses 题目:从称赞应答语看中美文化差异摘要语言是社会交际的工具，语言的使用反映着一个社会文化生活的方方面面。
任何语言不仅体现该民族的风土人情、文化习惯以及历史的演变和发展，而且还蕴藏着该民族的人生观、生活方式和思维模式。
简而言之，根植于不同社会文化历史背景下的不同民族，其语言习惯相差甚远。
其中，称赞语作为一种社交语言即社会交际用语，不同文化背景自然产生不同的称赞语模式。
同时，作为一种配对性结构，称赞与回应的共现又反映着不同的文化渊源。
也就是说：被称赞人必须对称赞做出回应——接受或拒绝。
在不同文化背景的影响下，人们的称赞内容、运用的场合及对象、形式对比、价值观念、采取的礼貌原则以及应答语的模式也会存在着差异。
如果不了解文化之间的差异，跨文化交际就会因语用失误产生交际障碍，甚至导致交际失败。
因此，文章拟从中美两国的称赞语及其应答模式，看中美文化的差异。
以其能尽量避免语用失误，更好地促进两国人民的交流。
关键词：称赞语；应答语；模式；文化对比；分析AbstractLanguage is a tool of social communication, whose use reflects various aspects of the cultural life of a specific society. Any language not only embodies the customs, cultural habits, historical evolution and development of the race speaking that language, but also contains the philosophy, life style and way of thinking of that race. Simply put, different races, based on different social cultures and historical backgrounds, will produce different languages. It is also natural that compliments deriving from different cultural backgrounds will generate different patterns in terms of their use and responses. Meanwhile, as an adjacency pair, the coexistence of compliments and responses in turn reflects different cultural backgrounds. In other words, person complimented must respond—either accept or refuse. Under different cultural backgrounds, the contents, contexts and objects forms, concept of value, the principle of politeness of compliments and their responses differ. A misunderstanding of the difference between cultures will lead to conflicts even failure in communication. So, this paper tries to make an elementary probe into the similarity and difference of Sino-US compliments and their responses from the perspective of social culture with the hope that pragmatic mistakes could be avoided to facilitate the communication between people of the two countries. Key words: compliment; response; pattern; cultural contrast; analysisContents摘要............................................................................................................................. (i)Abstract ...................................................................................................................... (ii)Chapter 1 Introduction (1)Chapter 2 Concept of Compliment Responses (2)Chapter 3 Comparisons Between Chinese and American Compliment Responses in Different Context (4)3.1Comparison Between Chinese and American Compliments at Home (4)3.1.1Chinese Compliments at Home (4)3.1.2 American Compliments at Home (5)3.2 Comparison Between Chinese and American Compliments at School (6)3.3 Comparison Between Chinese and American Compliments in Workplace (8)Chapter 4 Cultural Differences Between China and America on Compliment Responses (10)4.1 Compliment Object Differences Between China and America (10)4.1.1 The Object of Compliment Response in America (10)4.1.2 The Object of Compliment Response in China (10)4.2 Expressions Differences Between China and America (11)4.3 Value Differences Between China and America (12)4.4 Difference in Social Functions Between China and America (13)4.5 Answering Style Differences Between China and America (14)Chapter 5 Conclusion (16)Bibliography (17)Acknowledgements (18)An Analysis on Comparison Between China and America onCulture From Compliment ResponsesChapter 1 IntroductionAs we all know, different countries have different culture. Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one category of people from another and represents their own characteristic. In terms of the different process of the social development between China and America, the culture of each other represents their own characteristic, especially in the language use. Language culture is the one point. Language is the reaction of the culture and the reflection of the culture and the reflection of values.Compliment responses is the frequently language which is used in our daily life and familiar to people, it is easy for people to understand the culture difference from compliment responses. During the process of cross-cultural communication, Chinese and American usually misunderstand each other for unknowing other‟s own culture. This essay lists a lot of examples to analyze the cultural difference from compliment responses between China and America in order to make people understand the cultural difference better and improve the ability of cross-cultural communication.Thus it can be seen that Chinese and American compliments reflect the culture and are restricted by culture at the same time. Only by understanding the cultural differences between the two countries, can we use the compliment better--this positive non-verbal communication behavior so as to achieve the expected effect of communication.Chapter 2 Concept of Compliment ResponsesCompliments have been said to …grease the social wheels‟and thus to serve as …social lubricants‟. We all have given compliments and we all receive them occasionally. Compliments are primarily aimed at …maintaining, enhancing, or supporting the addressee‟s face ‟.Herbert argues that there seems to be a widespread popular agreement over what it is that constitutes a compliment. He notes that most definitions of compliment, particularly those based on studies of Western languages, specify two conditions: the first one is that compliments must contain an expression of admiration on the part of the speaker, the other one is that they must concern a possession, accomplishment, or personal quality of the addressee.Contrastive studies have been conducted comparing compliment responses in different languages and language varieties with (mostly American) English. These studies illustrate a clear contrast among different languages. On the one hand, Arabic and South African English are more likely to prefer acceptance of compliments and less likely to reject to them than American English. On the other hand, speakers of Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Malay, and Thai) tend to avoid accepting compliments but rather reject them compared to English.The speech act of compliment responses is selected simply for two reasons. First, studies on it in several varieties of English, as well as in other languages and other politeness formulae are many, which provide a basis for comparative analysis. However, the present study seeks to address an important omission in previous scholarly analyses, as there have been very few Chinese and American English cross-cultural studies on the compliment responses speech act set. Indeed, the relevant literature is confined to a couple of studies on mainly American and European languages. Second, compliment responses provide an invaluable but under-utilized insight into speakers‟ reaction to external appraisals of their personal and social identity.The data of the study come from the result of the present research works, whichexamine the similarities and differences between the compliment responses strategies of Chinese native speakers and American native speakers and to reveal the inter language characteristics of Chinese native speakers in responding to compliments.Chapter 3 Comparisons Between Chinese and American Compliment Responses in Different ContextDue to the different history and concept, China and America compliment response is undeniably distinct from each other. Context is very important for language learners to learn a language. We do need to consider the different contexts in the use of American and Chinese compliments. This part will mainly talk about the comparisons between American and Chinese compliments.3.1 Comparison Between Chinese and American Compliments at Home3.1.1 Chinese Compliments at HomeAmerican couples and Chinese couples are similar. They both are advocated to constancy for love and undying loyalty to lovers. The fundamental difference is that their cultural backgrounds are different. They are living in different countries. Different culture background is the key reason for their different language patterns. Tolstoy once said, …All happy families are alike one another, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.‟ The question what is a happy family usually comes to our mind: mutual trust, understanding and communication, compromise, tolerance, management and so on.Traditionally the love between Chinese husband and wife is implied. Ashamed, they could not tell the spouse of their love, especially in old China, they did not say (I)love you‟or …You are the one I love best‟over the course of the whole lifetime. Compliment is a kind of the embodiment of the love. For most Chinese people, compliment usually occurs in love period or new marriage. A man in love will take every opportunity to give compliments to his girlfriend. They do so because they wantto impress his girlfriend or make her happy. As for an old-married couple, they seldom compliment each other. They think the love is needless to say out. They pay more attention to using actions to express their love. Sometimes Chinese speech community ignores their family members, seldom use complimentary words to praise them for appreciation. But this is not to say that emotion between Chinese family members is indifferent. Just the way they express emotions is implicit, is love you more than I can say. In fact, the Chinese kinship is much stronger than the American people; and the family consciousness is even more intense. The Chinese people take more care and support obligations than the American people.But with the opening of ideas, Chinese couples begin to be bold and brave to speak their love, especially the young couples. They begin to take a variety of ways to show their love in the bottom of their heart boldly to their lovers.3.1.2 American Compliments at HomeIts society with individualism popular, marriage is just a combination of two individuals. And marriage is based on love and sex in their opinion; marriage without love is immoral and of low quality. So we say that western wedding is a human right and the Chinese wedding is more like an obligation for family. Respect and freedom is the most basic principle in the relationship of marriage. No matter how deep the marital love is, the American couples do not ignore these two principles, respect and freedom. They know the importance to hold on the two basic bottom lines if they want to make a lasting marriage.Because of the differences of Chinese and western culture, people have different views and means of expressions for the same things. In the aspect of expressing compliments, the Chinese language is implicit and euphemistic; the American language is enthusiastic and straightforward. Most westerners with strong sense of self concept would like to pay the best compliments to their family members. They know spousal relationship is the most fundamental and important interpersonal relationship, whichconcerns the happiness of life, family harmony and career success. So a husband often says to his wife, “Oh, your dress is elegant.”, “You have such a gorgeous smile” an d “You are unique”. I am proud of you, my darling. ” Similarly a wife will say to her husband, “Your handwriting is so perfect.”, “You look very cool today, honey.”, “I like your sense of humor.” American compliments are reflected in every aspect of life and every moment. That is why we see the American couples are more loving and connected.Comparatively speaking, American couples understand the significance of marriage and manage marriage better than Chinese couples. The most important change of Chinese married couples after marriage is that they no longer appreciate each other and ignore each other‟s advantages. There is no compliment, only sarcasm and irony. They ignore each other for everything they have done, and take everything for granted, not from the heart of thanksgiving. However, the British couple is exactly the opposite. They take everything their lover has done in the eyes and in the mind. They duly give compliments and thanks to their lover, which makes the relationship sweeter and more harmonious. Happiness and foundation in the marriage, of course, is love and loyalty.Whether the couples can finally get real happiness depends on the good habits of feelings between husband and wife. So we say good habits determine a happy marriage. The big difference between Chinese families and American families is American families has formed the good habit of expressing the love and compliments. Love is an art; love is two people grow together. It must have communication. There will be a deeper love if there is a communication to understand.3.2 Comparisons Between Chinese and American Compliments at SchoolThe healthy growt h of students can not go without teachers‟ proper guidance. Every student has a tendency to pursue progress, has a good side: positive, smart andstudious. At the same time, teachers must be common in mind to look at their each merit and regard their every progress as positive. Naturally, the teachers will be good at discovering students‟ merits; appreciating their value, so as to establish the students‟self-confidence and pride. It requires that teachers should see beauty of human nature, and making compliments towards students is the penetration in the process of the humanistic spirit in the education teaching, embodies the equality of the personality and dignity between the students and teachers. If we can treat the students‟ failures and mistakes with a broad mind and understanding with tolerance and encouragement, at the same time, point out the solution to correct the wrong doing for them. Teachers will provide a harmonious atmosphere of mutual trust for a long time; it is good for students to form a positive healthy psychology and an active attitude to learn new knowledge and explore new methods to study the new problem.In this way, the life journey will be full of laughter, applause; full of determination and confidence. Specialty is the children‟s shines. The teachers must be good at catching the students‟ bright spots, give timely compliments in order to set up their confidence. When being complimented, the students will feel a sense of satisfaction, can make a comprehensive analysis of him, and can realize his insufficiency. At the same time, he can also accept the opinions of others, gradually perfecting his wish.A philosopher said: only the truest compliment will touch the heart of a person. The teachers‟ compliments should start from the students‟ trivial life, seek truth from facts and do not simply say to the student, “You are a good student. You are great. You are so smart.” The more specific your compliment is, the more clear the students will feel about his good behavior and so is the more possibly the students will obey the rules of such behaviors. For the young children, the teachers should give timely compliment for every small progress. For example, the teacher can compliment a student like you make the classroom so clean, or you make your handbag so tidy, or you are excellent that you can solve the classmates‟ difficulties, etc.If you are a teacher, please do not make compliment stingy, for compliment is spring breeze, which makes students filled with warmth and gratitude; please do not look down compliments, for compliment is a fire, which can light the longing and hopein the heart of students. If every teacher is full of spirit to enjoy encouraging word to students, compliments will be able to moisten everything silently. We sincerely hope that the students can healthily grow in the teaching with correct compliments.3.3 Comparison Between Chinese and American Compliments in WorkplaceAccording to analysis, there are three major topics in complimenting in American. Ability and traits are often referred to in daily communication, sharing the highest proportion, appearance ranks second only a little lower than ability and traits, and then possessions rank third. In the American culture, the positive comments on looks or appearance occupy a very large proportion because they like to compliment mutually. If others‟ appearance has any change, it is deserved to be complimented in order to show one‟s care or respect to others.In this part we mainly talk about the gender difference in the use of compliments.A lot of research and experiment show that there are many differences between women and men in the use of topic, syntax, vocabulary, strategy and function about compliment. Much corpus finds compliment is unevenly distributed in men and women. Women use compliments more than men do. In English-speaking countries, the content of compliments more focus on intelligence, skills, performance, clothing, furniture cars, on such good quality and vessels with high quality. In western culture, individual struggle and personality reflection is an important notion which pursues the self value performance. Thus, positive compliment on appearance and hairstyle occupies the main and the most prominent position. The compliment recipients are mainly women. Women often receive the compliments from men, “You look nice today!”, “You look sexy!”Women will be pleased to say “Thank you” on hearing such compliments.In China, men do not often compliment women‟s appearance directly, otherwise they will be regarded to be frivolous or have ulterior motives. Influenced bydeep-rooted orthodox culture, men often use such adjectives to compliment women as virtuous, gentle, beautiful, intelligent, highly cultured and steeped in propriety; educated and reasonable and so on.Men need women‟s compliments, but he only needs to know his position in the eyes of women, which is enough. He does not need the nagging words, does not need the repeated compliments. However, women need to be complimented repeatedly from men. So, in a social situation, it is important to give a woman proper compliment which can make the communication easier. However, in the life, there are few men who can give proper compliments naturally to women. This may be a kind of unique Chinese connotation. Men should learn to compliment women, appropriate compliment which can make communication more harmonious and can eliminate the contradiction in the communication and can make them feel better and blissfully happy.It needs an appropriate scale for men to comp liment women‟s appearance. It should be practical. Men should not say beautiful to all women. In compliments, it needs men to quickly find each woman‟s biggest advantage in the first place. For example, some women are not pretty, but with good temperament; some women are very short, but the skin is very delicate. In short, every woman must have the advantage she really deserves to be complimented. People say that women are living with ears; compliment is the sunshine in the life of woman. In fact, man is the same, they like to hear the affirmation and compliment from others, which will give them a sense of value and make them full of confidence. Because of traditional male roles in the society, to support their home, it makes a man care about his image in the eyes of others, his pride and his work. Career is closely related to the work; any work evaluation will let him sensitive.Chapter 4 Cultural Differences Between China and America onCompliment ResponsesAs the positive speech act, both American and Chinese compliments are widely applied in the interpersonal communication. Correspondingly, there are many differences between American compliments and Chinese compliments.4.1 Compliment Object Differences Between China and America4.1.1 The Object of Compliment Response in AmericaCompliment in English is widely used in the country, especially Americans prefer to use praised the way to greet others or say hello. Generally speaking, English Compliment objects include everyone, juniors or seniors, family or friends, superiors or subordinates, distant relatives or neighbors, and even strangers. Inside, on the road, in the office praised the manner in greeting.In addition, people often English-speaking countries to the other praised their immediate family members or relatives, including their own husband or wife, parent and child.For example, parents praise their children smart, outstanding, will use even what musical instrument, what won awards, while his wife also often praised how her husband work hard, how to be reused, and how being a friend of trust and so on. It's all very well for them since the hearer is natural thing.4.1.2 The Object of Compliment Response in ChinaCover a wide range of countries than in the United State praised the object, the object of the Chinese people praised relatively much smaller.First, the Chinese people meet for the first few strangers praised, especially men praised the first meeting women, to give people the impression of frivolous or malicious. The first time we met each other in another unfamiliar situation carried out under conditions praise may cause misunderstanding.Moreover, the Chinese people will not praise his family in front of outsider members, and other family members are generally based on the object of praise. For example: "Your son is really smart" or "your dad is really great " or " Your wife is really virtuous, "etc. In the traditional Chinese concept, the family is the most important. Close to him, too much praise but seemed polite and unfamiliar. Usually the parents of the child's performance of praise, the elders are less or the same generation with Compliments. Intimate marital relationship, usually do not need to use language to express his affection between husband and wife and therefore the behavior of mutual praise is rare.In addition, the Chinese people in the praise of others, unlike English-speaking countries conducted as frequently and directly, but behave more euphemistic, unemotional.4.2 Expressions Differences Between China and AmericaIn most of the time, we get compliments and give compliments. Interestingly, different countries have different kinds of ways to praise other.Americans as expressing openly and directly their appreciation and acceptance of the compliment. They express goodwill, solidarity and encouragement. Moreover, Americans are also good at greeting people, expressing thanks and getting over embarrassment through compliments.The Chinese often compliment the others, it is mean to making others feel good for the traditional pursuit of harmonious, to showing one‟s appreciation on something, to trying to make use of certain people.Chinese compliments don‟t emphasize on negotiating solidarity while Americanreally do.On the other hand, Chinese culturally use the …deny‟response to …push away‟praise as a way to communicate modestly.Actually, …deny‟in china response to other as one of the most obvious culture norms which are different with Americans. On the contrary, Americans are positive to compliments and make them deserve the compliments.4.3 Value Differences Between China and AmericaIn Chinese society, people generally accept the traditional viewpoint that collective restriction on individual should be stressed and interpersonal harmony should be maintained in the social communication. In China, such ideas that a person should serve others first and think of others are considered to be unselfish and acceptable. Expressed in the speech act—compliments, we find that Chinese people use compliments mainly with the purpose of maintaining the harmonious interpersonal relationship with others. They hold the point that individuals do not stand out so as to cause the unpleasantness from others. The value and expectation of individual are weakened. It is thus clear that Chinese people are accustomed to compliment others but not accustomed to accept compliments about themselves from others. Otherwise, they will be considered to be arrogant and showing-off.At the same time, China is an agricultural society with Confucian ethics as the governing rule of most interpersonal relationships. Chinese people influenced greatly and deeply by the Confucian ethics believe in modesty, self-abasement, other-respect and collectivism. In terms of psychological experience, Chinese people also like to hear complimenting words. But orally, especially when there are a lot of people or the public, most people tend to refuse compliments from others. This response pattern is strongly influenced by traditional Chinese values. Chinese people regard modesty as a virtue. From the past till nowadays, Chinese people generally believe unity is the key force of one‟s success both in families and in the society. So every Chinese person stresses theharmonious relationship with anyone else. They do not want to cause uncomfortable feelings to others and they do not want to be the people who are not liked by others.But with the development of society, Chinese people‟s traditional concepts are also gradually changing. Many people, especially young people, there are more situations in which they accept compliments. Many people think that too much humility is a kind of hypocrisy. Most young people do not immediately reject the compliments from others, while they will take different approaches to accept them. Some express agreement; some express appreciation; others give a smile; the others give a counter-question.While most American people are individual-oriented, they tend to accept compliments from others naturally. There are two important points for them to meet: the positive face and thinking positively about oneself. So facing a compliment from others, the American people do not expect to refuse or reject because if they do so, the value of individualism will be violated.In terms of the western value of individualism, it is found that it is deeply rooted in the American social history. In the long and fierce fights against severe and terrible natural environment, the American people depended on themselves to struggle for their better life. This can be seen in the famous English sayings, like “God helps those who help themselves” by Benjamin Franklin. The saying tells us that the American people depend on themselves not strangers or anybody else. And also individualism has its own religious source—Christianity which believes that men are equally born. So in the social activities, not only daily communication, but also in the personal interest, they emphasize the individual feeling, and values.4.4 Difference in Social Functions Between China and AmericaAs a means of positive evaluation, compliment acts many social functions, playing a irreplaceable role in daily communication. The function of Chinese function is mainly to keep or promote the unity and peaceful relation between the speaker and addressee. Chinese compliments are to create or promote interpersonal harmony in the Chinesespeech community just like social lubricants.The main functions of Chinese compliments is to express appreciation which is the most basic function; to be used between acquaintance and old friends as a ritual greeting; to start a conversation between strangers which is beneficial to the development of the conversation; to be use as acknowledgement and congratulations which are helpful to establish rapport between the speaker and addresses and sounds more sincere and acceptable; to be used as encouragement which is often employed by teachers in teaching activities so as to cheer students up physiologically and psychologically, thus achieving satisfactory teaching effect; to ease criticism tone in which we stress the advantages before we point out the shortcomings or mistakes of colleagues, classmates or students, because polite criticism saves the critic‟s face and achieves the purpose of criticism; to flatter which is a commonly-used communicative strategy people will say their requests after they flatter others with compliments; to alert by complimenting which is also a communicative strategy, in daily life and study if the speaker compliments others in the face of us we will feel rebuked indirectly, and we will pay more attention to these aspects in the future life and study; to satire others by complimenting, which is often used as a warning when others are showing off some advantages.Comparatively speaking, American compliments are not as rich and varied as Chinese compliments. American compliments are mainly used as admiration or praise, encouragement, gratitude, to soften criticism and as a greeting formula. By comparison, we find that Chinese compliments acts more social functions mainly because the Chinese language is more colorful and varied than the American language. It reflects the richness of Chinese. With the long history, the Chinese language is both extensive and profound. In terms of personal relationship, Chinese people are more tactful in dealing with interpersonal relationships and Chinese people pay more attention to the harmonious relationship with others.4.5 Answering Style Differences Between China and America。
关于中西方称赞语差异的对比分析
关于中西方称赞语差异的对比分析王焱 MF1020030摘要:我们学习任何一种语言,其根本目的就是用来交际,而在我们的日常交际中,有一种现象就是称赞语的广泛使用。
不管我们有没有注意到它,称赞语事实上都无时不在,无处不在。
称赞语是交际的“润滑剂”,它使交际得以在和谐融洽的气氛中向前推进。
作为一种社会语言,它不仅可以缩短交际者之间的社会距离,而且可以联络感情,维系社会正常的人际关系。
随着我国国力的日益增强,跨文化交际随之升温。
在跨文化交际中,称赞语同样存在。
但中西方各自不同的文化却蕴育出了不同的称赞语。
了解中西方各自的称赞语及其差异,有助于我们更好地和外国人交流,减少交际中不必要的误会和尴尬,推进交流的顺利进行。
这篇论文首先介绍了称赞语的定义,特征、以及功能等内容,随后探讨了中西方各自的称赞语,接下来着重对比分析中西方称赞语的差异。
关键词:中西方称赞语;差异;对比分析i一、什么是称赞语称赞语,又称恭维话,我们先来看牛津大词典对它的解释:“Compliments, as a kind of speech act, is considered to be closely related to politeness. It is the expression of praise, admiration, approval,etc”(Oxford Dictionary,1997:283)。
牛津词典对它的解释用汉语来说就是:称赞语作为一种言语行为,被认为和礼貌紧密相连,它是一种对别人赞扬,敬仰和支持的表达。
下面再看现代汉语词典第五版对称赞和恭维的解释:“称赞---动词,用言语表达对人或事物的优点的喜爱”(现代汉语词典第五版,2010:171)“恭维---动词,为讨好而赞扬”(现代汉语词典第五版,2010:477)。
关于称赞语的定义,可以说两个字典的解释还是有一定的相似之处。
简而言之,称赞语是在一定的交际场合所使用的用来夸奖,赞许,支持和表扬别人的话语。
中美商务谈判中称赞语及应答的对比分析
校园英语 /中美商务谈判中称赞语及应答的对比分析天津师范大学外国语学院/邱曦薇【摘要】近年来中国经济飞速发展，中美关系成为全球最重要的双边关系。
商务英语作为社会语言学及应用语言学下的一个分支，受到社会文化的制约与影响，并表现出一定的特点。
而在商务英语中称赞语和与之相伴的应答语也是必不可少的，称赞语为交谈双方或多方谈话的顺利进行都起到了促进作用，而良好得体的应答语会拉近双方的距离，缓和尴尬，也能够帮助谈判的顺利进行。
由于中美在称赞语方面的异同，中美之间商务谈判势必存在困扰。
因此，此文主要通过分析商务谈判中称赞语及其应答的案例来对比研究中美商务谈判中称赞语及应答的差别。
本文旨在通过对比分析中美在称赞语及其应答方面的分类、语法结构与模式、功能，并浅析中美文化差异来帮助中美商人理解文化差异，减少文化摩擦并更好的进行商务合作。
【关键词】称赞语 应答 商务谈判 对比一、商务谈判中中美称赞语功能商务英语语言作为社会语言学的分支，具有目的性强的特点。
美国商务谈判中称赞语的功能大致分为几类。
第一，表示对对方的鼓励以及赞赏。
第二，称赞语常与道歉、感谢、问候语相伴。
第三，用以缓解矛盾冲突与批评。
最后，为方便与当地公司建立关系。
而中国称赞语的功能与美国称赞语虽大体相同，但也有区别。
其称赞语功能有：第一，增进与谈判对方的友谊；第二，常在问候、感谢、发起会话或结束对话时运用；第三，总是下级向上级说称赞语。
与美国称赞语相比，中国称赞语并没有表示鼓励的色彩。
关于两国在称赞语中赞赏、鼓励功能的应用，在下列案例中可以更加直观的看出双方的区别。
1.A: Your computers combine good design and assembly. They sold well in our market and we thank you a lot.C:这样的成功也需要感谢贵公司的努力。
2.C:贵公司资产实力雄厚，我认为我们这样的交易订单不会为贵公司带来任何资金周转方面的困难。
中西方人对于称赞的不同回应方式_谈中国人的谦虚准则和西方人的一致准则
文化中是不被接受的。我们的祖先认为尊重他人是礼貌的最低 自己的面子， 否则交际双方就失去平等地位。受到赞扬后说“谢
要 求 ， 不 会 自 贬 的 人 往 往 被 认 为 是 骄 傲 自 大 ， 所 以 司 马 迁 在《史 谢”表明西方人在接受恭维时既表达了自己的真实态度又维护
记》中这样评论韩信惹来杀身之祸：“假令韩信学道谦让， 不伐己 功， 不矜其能， 则庶几哉。”［５］古人认为谦虚者的标准是“每居卑而 推功， 虽处泰而滋恭”， 强调在利益、功名面前要谦恭推让。过分
西 方 文 化 强 调 个 人 主 义 ， 尊 崇 个 人 的 价 值 、人 格 ， 提 倡 个 体
心 ， 此 准 则 中 的 两 个 成 分“ 贬 己 ”与“ 尊 人 ”是 一 个 整 体 ， 不 可 分 。 独立性， 在个人取得成就后从来不掩饰自己的自信心和荣誉感。
当一个人在会话交往中贬低自己时， 那么毫无疑问会抬高对方。 正如比林顿所说：“对于拓荒者来说， 每个人都是一个自力更生
中国文化向来以谦谦君子作为楷模， 反对自我吹嘘， 炫耀个 人荣誉， 提倡谦虚礼让。所有的个人荣誉要通过别人的转述并且 自己还要进行自我否定才能称得上是令人羡慕的荣誉， 假如自 己主动说出来就显得骄傲自满， 再过人的成绩也会变得黯然失 色。“满招损， 谦受益”这条古训就是对此的最好解释。例如， 虽然 准备了丰盛的饭菜请别人吃饭， 客人赞赏时， 中国主人会说：“没 什 么 菜 招 待 ”、“ 不 会 烧 菜 ”之 类 的 客 套 话 ， 真 正 把 对 自 身 的 贬 损 夸大到了最大限度， 以此来表示礼貌。因此， 中国人是十分严格 地遵守谦虚准则的［１］。但西方人认为中国人是假谦虚， 这样的回 答违背了谦虚准则中的实事求是， 违背了“真”， 很难使交际继续 进行下去。虽然西方人也讲谦虚， 但与中国人的谦虚美德是不同 的。他们的谦虚准则包含两方面的内容： 一是尽量减少自我夸 奖， 二是不要自我贬低。而西方人侧重于后者。所以听到这样的 夸 奖 时 会 直 接 回 答“ 谢 谢 ”以 遵 循 交 际 中 的 一 致 准 则 。 他 们 认 为 只要赞扬的内容基本属实， 就尽量接受， 以承认对方的鉴赏力， 表现双方的一致， 从而达到避免不和、加强人际间团结关系的实 质 目 的 ［２］。
中美肢体语言差异
语言与文化的差异(20)--中美肢体语言对比2007-09-15 12:25:52| 分类：体态语言 | 标签：|字号大中小订阅中美肢体语言对比研究表明，两者有相似的地方。
如男子相逢时不拥抱，一般见面时握手即可；挥手表示再见；皱眉表示不高兴；耸耸鼻子表示不喜欢、讨厌或不快；点头表示“是”，摇头表示“不”；噘嘴表示不痛快、情绪不佳、忿恨；拍拍男人或男孩子的背表示赞扬、夸奖、鼓励；咬牙表示生气、愤怒或下决心。
现将不同处举例列表如下∶A 动作一样，意义不同肢体语言跺脚汉语意义气愤，恼怒，灰心，悔恨英语意义不耐烦肢体语言观众和听众鼓掌，表演或讲话人也鼓掌汉语意义谢谢，互相表示友好感情英语意义为自己鼓掌；被认为是不谦虚肢体语言目不转睛地看汉语意义好奇；有时是惊讶英语意义不礼貌；使人发窘；不自在肢体语言发“嘘”声汉语意义反对；责骂；轰赶英语意义要求安静肢体语言拍别人的脑袋汉语意义（少见；一般见於成人对孩子）疼爱；（对成人或青年，会引起反感，是侮辱人的动作）英语意义安慰；鼓励；钟爱B 意义相同，动作有差异意义“过来”（叫别人过来）中国的肢体语言把手伸向被叫人，手心向下，几个手指同时弯曲几次美国的肢体语言把手伸向被叫人，手心向上，握拳用食指前后摆动（中国人对此反感）意义“丢人”“没羞”（半开玩笑）中国的肢体语言伸出食指，用指尖在自己脸上划几下，象搔謢，不过手指是直的美国的肢体语言伸出两只手的食指，手心向下，用一个食指擦另一个食指的背面意义“我吃饱了”（吃饭后）中国的肢体语言一只手或两只手轻轻拍拍自己的肚子美国的肢体语言一只手放在自己的喉头，手心向下（常同时说“到这儿了”）C 只存在於一种文化中的动作美国肢体语言咬指甲在美国的意义重大思想负担；担心，不知所措肢体语言用大拇指顶着鼻头，其他四指弯着一起动在美国的意义挑战，蔑视肢体语言摇动食指（食指向上伸出，其他四指收拢）在美国的意义警告别人不要作某事，表示对方在做错事肢体语言把胳膊放在胸前，握紧拳头，拇指向下，向下摆几次在美国的意义反对某一建议、设想；反对某人；表示强烈反对肢体语言眨眼（很快地合上一只眼，微微一笑点点头）在美国的意义表示下列几种感情∶会意，赞许，鼓励，传递信息，表示团结等中国肢体语言用食指点点或指指自己的鼻子在中国的意义“是我”，“是我干的”（西方人认为这个手势有点可笑）肢体语言说话时用一只张开的手捂着嘴（一般是老年人用）在中国的意义说秘密话（有时没有明显的意义）肢体语言两只手递（即使可以用一只手拿起的）东西给客人或别人在中国的意义尊敬肢体语言别人为自己倒茶或斟酒时，张开一只手或两只手，放在杯子旁边在中国的意义表示感谢肢体语言伸出两个竖起的食指在身前慢慢接近（往往在戏曲中出现）在中国的意义男女相爱；匹配良缘这几张表中所举的例子不全，但是可以说明肢体语言的差异，也说明了解另一种语言中的肢体语言的重要性。
中西方对赞美的回应差异英语文章
中西方对赞美的回应差异在不同文化背景下，人们对赞美的回应会有所差异。
无论是在中文社会还是英文社会中，可以观察到对赞美的回应方式存在着不同的文化习惯和心理特征。
本文将从中西方文化角度出发，探讨中西方对赞美的回应差异，并分析造成这种差异的文化原因。
一、中西方对赞美的回应方式1. 西方的回应方式在英文社会中，人们对赞美往往会直接表达谢意并回应一句“Thank you”或者“Thank you so much”。
他们习惯于直接接受赞美并且表达感激之情。
有时候，他们也会加入一些亲切的回应，比如“Thank you, you made my day!”2. 中文社会的回应方式相比之下，在中文社会中，人们对赞美的回应往往会更为谦虚和客气。
他们会避免直接接受赞美，而是用一些谦虚的措辞来表示对赞美的回应，比如“谢谢，这不算什么”、“哪里，哪里”、“过奖了”。
甚至有时候他们会通过反对赞美的方式来回应，比如“这件衣服其实很便宜的”、“我的英语还有待提高”。
二、中西方文化差异的原因分析1. 礼貌与谦虚的不同理解在西方文化中，直接接受赞美和表达感激被视作一种礼貌和真诚的表现。
人们习惯于坦诚地表达自己的感受，认为赞美是一种积极的情感表达。
而在中文文化中，谦虚和谨慎被视作一种美德，人们习惯于以谦逊的态度回应赞美，以示谦虚和虚心接受他人的评价。
2. 面子与关系的价值观差异在中文文化中，面子和人际关系的重要性被强调，人们会在回应赞美时更注重维护自己的面子和与他人的关系。
他们会避免直接接受赞美，以免显得骄傲自满或者炫耀。
而在西方文化中，个人主义被强调，人们更注重真诚和直接表达自己的情感，因此他们更愿意直接接受赞美。
三、个人观点和理解我认为中西方对赞美的回应差异主要源自文化的差异。
西方文化强调个人主义和直接表达，因此人们更愿意直接接受赞美并表达感激之情。
而中文文化强调谦虚和人际关系，因此人们更倾向于以一种谦逊和客气的方式回应赞美。
我认为，了解并尊重不同文化对赞美的回应方式是十分重要的，这有助于增进不同文化之间的理解和沟通。
汉语与英语国家称赞策略之对比研究
Na t io n a lit ie s Fo rum 汉语与英语国家称赞策略之对比研究□吕占军称赞语在交际中可以履行一系列的社会功能，因此，称赞策略应用于东西方交往中是必然的，但应用不当所导致的语用失误会使交际出现障碍，甚至导致交际失败，因此，对东西方国家称赞策略的深入研究就显得尤为重要。
本文拟以中国人与美国人为样本人群，对以汉语为本族语的汉语国家人群与以英语为本族语的英语国家人群交际中称赞策略的运用进行一些对比研究。
称赞策略是通过交际中称赞语的运用来实施的，所以先从这两种语言称赞语的基本交际模式谈起。
一、称赞语的基本交际模式称赞语的基本话语结构是一种“配对性结构”（adjacen-cy pair)(Ｗａｒｄｈａｕｇｈ，１９８６)。
这种结构的特点是两类语言行为呈共现状态。
从社会行为的角度来看，称赞语又属于一种“支撑性行为”（supportive action)(Ｐｏｍｅｒａｎｔｚ，１９７８)，它类似于“赠礼”、“祝贺”。
A 、B 之间的赠礼行为必须在双方的共同“支撑”下才能完成。
称赞语用赠“美言”于对方的方式，向对方“赠送”友谊与善意，因而，被称赞的一方必须按行为规范表示“接受”或“拒绝”。
不管是英语还是汉语中的称赞语，称赞语的“赠礼”都有别于常规的赠礼行为。
这种“赠与”是间接的，它通过评价交际中的参照物实现。
因而称赞人的语言行为不仅有“赠礼”的性质，而且还有“评价”的性质。
Pomerantz （１９７８）指出，称赞语在事实上组合了两种社会行为：“支撑性行为”和“评价性行为”，所以对称赞语的反应也必须包容对这两种行为的反应。
换言之，被称赞一方除了要表示“接受/拒绝”的态度外，还必须对称赞人的评价表示“是/否同意”。
下面先来看两个英语称赞语的典型例子。
(1)A:Oh ，it was just beautiful.B:Well ，thank you.Ul ，I thought it was quite nice.(2)A:That ’s a nice outfit.B:What?Are you kidding?例(1)中，A 的语言表面上是对参照物的评价，但由于参照物与B 的特殊关系，给予参照物较好的评价，亦等于赠与B 一份友谊与善意。
以“称赞”为例谈中西方语言文化差异
以“称赞”为例谈中西方语言文化差异作者：刘子熙侯君来源：《文学教育》2018年第07期内容摘要：改革开放以来，随着中西方国家交流的不断深入，中西方文化差异也越来越明显，有些语言文化上的不同也给中西方交流带来了一些的阻碍。
为了减少这些阻碍，我们应该积极地去学习与理解它们。
关键词：中西语言差异赞美谦逊不同的民族生活的背景，社会和宗教环境都有所不同，每个国家的语言习惯，社会文化，政策和其他许多背景因素的不完全相同，导致了人们说话方式和习惯的差异。
语言和文化上的差异导致了不同文化之间的人们交流与理解的困难。
由于文化差异，有时即使你使用的语用语法完全正确，也会产生误解；在不同的地区，文字或表达方式（来自不同国家文化的人）有着不同的含义。
在中西方的跨文化交际中，语言最常见的用法之一就是赞美，但这种语言行为所专属的国籍性，特殊性和鲜明的民族特色导致中西的语言运用有很大的差别。
语言是文化的载体，在文化教育中起着重要作用。
美国著名人类学家古迪纳夫在《文化人类与语言》中指出：“一个社会的语言是该社会的文化的一方面，语言和文化是部分与整体的关系。
语言作为文化的组成部分，其特殊性表现在：它是学习文化的主要工具，人在学习和运用的过程中获得整个文化。
”所以说，任何语言的背后都反映着一种文化，其深厚的文化内涵会增进国家间的交流与学习，推进民族的互汇共通，只有当我们了解对方的语言和文化后我们才可以在全球化的发展中占有一席之地。
在美国文化中，任何人都可以称赞或被称赞。
特别是女性，她们可能会因为换了发型或新衣服而被称赞。
然而无论她的年龄，职业和社会地位如何，女性的外表通常都是话题的焦点。
例如，一位男秘书很可能会对他的女老板说：“你笑起来时很漂亮。
你应该多笑一笑。
”在酒店里面，一个男子很可能突然对正在吃饭的陌生女人说：”你的微笑是如此的美丽，使得整个房间充满了光亮。
”美国的女性不会觉得这些话是一种奉承或是冒犯，相反，她觉得这对她是一种赞美，荣誉。
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餐的妇女说“You have a beautiful smile·It lights up thewhole room·”女性的外表(肤色、体形、衣着、打
扮、风度、等等)也是常常受到恭维的,当美国妇女受到如此恭维时,她不会感到害羞,相反,她们
认为十分得体。
在中国文化中,同样任何人都可以去恭维别人或受到别人的恭维,但要分男女老幼尊
卑贵贱。
女性的外表也常常是恭维的目标,然而一般是在女性与女性之间,一个男孩在一个素不相识
的女性面前恭维她的外表可能会被看作“庸俗”,如果一个美国男孩赞扬他所结识的中国女孩:“You
are a sexy girl·”很可能这个好心的男孩会遭到一顿臭骂。
男性对别人妻子的外貌进行恭维是一个禁
忌,尤其是对中年人来说,如果赞美说“您有一位漂亮的妻子”会被认为是很不礼貌的,而对一位陌
生女性直接赞美说“您长的真漂亮!”,是会被看成是对女性的一种挑衅。
从对能力和成就的恭维和赞美讲,在中美文化中也存在差异。
在美国文化中,涉及别人能力和成
就的恭维或赞美是很严肃的判断,而且只有那些拥有评价能力的和社会地位较高的人才有权力去赞美
别人的成就,这类赞美或恭维通常出现在上下级之间或处于不同社会地位的人之间。
此外,下级不对
自己的上级直接地表达判断也是一条显性的规则,另一条规则则是希望甚至要求社会地位较高者对其
下属的工作做出判断。
而中国文化中,这种赞美与恭维的范围比较宽广,与美国文化相同,对别人能
力和成就的严肃赞美,只有那些拥有评价能力的人才去赞美别人;但同时也有年长者对年轻者的鼓励
性的赞美,而这仅仅是一种鼓励,并不是真正对其能力和成就的赞美。
同时,年轻者也可以赞美年老
者,下级也可以赞美上级,而这更多的是对赞美者的一种恭维,或是年轻的对老者或下级对他的上级
讨好。
所以在我们的日常生活中,我们有很多的对他人的能力与成就的赞美,但不同的场合有不同的
意义,既有严肃地赞美,更有为了拉进关系的恭维。
中美文化中使用恭维语时一个另一显著的区别是人称代词位置的不同。
在美国人恭维别人时总喜
欢把第一人称“I”放在句首: (1) Ithink your coat suit you·(2) I like your hair style·(3) I am so proud of you·美国人趋向于个人感受,对事物的看法有他们自己的见解,认为最好的恭维就是向对方吐露自
己忠实的观点,他们喜欢“selfassertive”(表明自己)。
中国人则喜欢把第二人称“你”,“您”放在句首,例如“你的衣服多漂亮啊”,“您的设计多新颖啊”等等,来通过恭维来抬高对方,贬低自己表示对被恭维者的尊敬。
其次在接受恭维或赞美的方式上,中美文化也存在差异。
在美国文化中,对恭维或赞美的接受可
用感谢的方式,他们经常比较大方的是以一句“Thank you!”来接受别人的恭维或赞美,因为他们认
为所有的人都是平等的。
“谢谢”说明美国人在接受恭维时既表达了自己的真实态度又维护了自己的
自尊。
中国人接受恭维赞誉时总是表示谦虚,中国文化中谦虚是一种美德,所以当一个人受到恭维或
夸奖时,我们常听到“哪里哪里”、“过奖了”、“惭愧”、“不行”、“做得很不够”等自贬的话语。
美国
人会把这种过谦视为自卑,在人面前显示自己是无能之辈,他们的文化背景是:夸奖者总是希望被夸
奖者对自己的赞扬做出肯定的评价和积极的反应,说“谢谢你”鼓励之类的话。
有一群中国人在访问美国期间去参观一家比较富裕的美国朋友的房子,当他们跟随主人四下参观
房子时他们由衷地赞美“您的房子真是太漂亮”,女主人微笑着用最典型的美国方式接受了这一赞美
“Thank you!”,这却使得在场的中国人略微有些诧异。
在饭桌上美国的男主人对中国翻译说到“Your
English is excellent, really quite fleut!”这名翻译刚从国内的一所大学毕业,她回答“No, no, my Eng-
lish is quite poor!”这却是男主人不曾料到的并略感迷惑的答案。
在中国文化中,听话人常不顾及对方
的面子,否定对方的赞誉,但对方不会因其面子受到威胁,而责怪听话人不懂礼貌,因为这是汉文化
中特有的一种贬己尊人的礼貌行为,在这种情况下交际仍可继续进行。
反之,则被认为不够谦虚,显
得无礼。
因此上文中,在对美国朋友家房子的赞美时,美国女主人的回答在几个中国访问者期待中应
该可能是“哪里,哪里!”等。
但在美国文化中面对赞誉,听话人总是千方百计维护说话人的面子并
取悦其心理,说一声Thank you表示接受。
当美国男主人赞美中国翻译时,由于受汉文化的影响,中
国翻译运用中国礼貌原则中“谦逊”准则,有意违反了合作原则中的“质”的准则,言不由衷地否定
了自己的看法,本来是想通过贬己来维护对方的面子,没想到却威胁了对方的面子,使美国朋友感到
莫明其妙,自讨没趣,导致交际无法展开。
当美国人听到中国人断然否定别人对自己赞扬,或者听到
他们自己否定自己的成就甚至把自己贬得一钱不值时感到很惊讶,并认为中国人惯于言不由衷。
而美
国文化中没有贬己尊人的习惯,面对赞扬,他们则欣然接受,并对此表示Thank you,中国人则认为
他们过于自信,缺乏谦虚。