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论文题目 A Linguistic Analysis on the Politeness Principle
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课程名称 现代语言学概论
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A Linguistic Analysis on the Politeness Principle
Abstract: Politeness is a rule and a language between people and people, and it is also the most important communication tool for human beings. And in it is loaded the profound national cultural connotation. Since mankind headed into the era of civilization, polite language has been highly valued in each culture, community and group. On one hand, po
lite language is an indication of being elegant and civilized, and on the other hand, it is helpful to establish and maintain a good relationship between people. As an obrvable phenomenon, politeness is something superficial and is recognized as a norm in all societies.
People in every culture are trying to be polite when communicating. Furthermore, politeness is culture-specific to some extent and a reflection of specific cultural values in the language. Misunderstandings or even breakdown may occur if the cultural differences of politeness are neglected in cross-cultural communication. So people should be aware of in communication between different cultural groups.ofwhich
Key words: Politeness; the most important; communication; tool; different cultures
I. Introduction
Various politeness theories have been propod. However, the Politeness Principle propod by Geoffrey Leech (1983) has been considered the most reasonable and influe
ntial theory so far. Leech propod the Politeness Principle which is formulated in a general way from two aspects: 1) to minimize the expression of impolite beliefs;2) to maximize the expression of polite beliefs. And it’s so vital for our interpersonal communication that we can’t ignore it.
II. Analysis on Politeness Principle
2.1 The definition of politeness考研复试一般考什么
It is known that being polite is a means to achieve good interpersonal relationships. In most general terms, people act politely in order to show the wish to start a friendly relation with someone, “or to maintain it if it is already existing, or to mend it if it is being threatened for some reason. Politeness can also be regarded as a restraint, some kind of social norm impod by the conventions of the community of which we are members”(何兆熊,1995:2-3).
Theorists have dug in every way to discover the ways to be polite. But there have alwa
ys been exceptions in the standards put by them and cultural difference has been a main source of most of the exceptions. So the actual manifestations of politeness, the ways to express politeness, and the standards of judgment are different in different languages and different cultures.
2.2 The maxims of the politeness principle
2.2.1 The instruction of the maxims
(1) Tact maxim (in directives/ impositives and commissves)
A. minimize cost to other
B. maximize benefit to other
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(2) Generosity maxim (in directives and commissives)
A. minimize benefit to lf
B. maximize cost to lf
(3) Approbation maxim (in expressives and reprentatives/asrtives)
A. minimize disprai of other
B. maximize prai of other
(4) Modesty maxim (in expressives and reprentatives)
呆若木鸡翻译 A. minimize prai of lf
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B. maximize disprai of lf
(5) Agreement maxim (in reprentatives)
A. minimize disagreement between lf and other
B. maximize agreement between lf and other
(6) Sympathy maxim (in reprentatives)
A. minimize antipathy between lf and other
B. maximize sympathy between lf and other
merry2.2.2 The relationship between the maxims
It is clear that each maxim is accompanied by a sub-maxim, which is of less importance. The support the idea that negative politeness (avoidance of discord) is more important than positive politeness (eking concord). In fact, Tact maxim and Generosity form a pair, just like two sides of a coin. Tact maxim states how one treats others and Generosity maxim states how one treats himlf. On one hand, sometimes the illocution is such that the Tact maxim alone is relevant. In yet other cas, the Generosity maxim appears to apply without the Tact maxim: for example, Could I have more X? (Leech,1983: 131-151).
And he also thinks that the Generosity is less powerful than the Tact maxim, but more polite. Then he points out in Japane society, and more particularly among Japane women, the Modesty Maxim is more powerful than it is as a rule in English-speaking sociexun
eties, where it would be customarily more polite to accept a compliment “gracious” (e.g. by thanking the speaker for it) rather than to go on denying it, but English-speakers would be inclined to find some compromi between violating the Modesty Maxim and violating the Agreement Maxim.
