Politeness Principles and Cultural Differences Between English and Chinese Politeness Languages

Politeness as a social phenomenon can be observed in all languages and cultures,but cultures vary in actual ways to realize politeness and also in the standards for its judgment.Great differences between English and Chinese culture will certainly lead to similar phenomenon in their polite expressions.To analyze,based on the polite principle,the pragmatic differences between English and Chinese in address,modesty,polite remarks,privacy and communication can avoid pragmatic errors and reach the successful purpose of intercultural communication.