Contents

Acknowledgements

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

1.1 Significance of This Study-1

1.2 Structure of The Thesis-1

Chapter Two Literature Review-3

2.1 The Concept of Politeness-3

2.2 The Relationships among Language, Communication and Culture-3

2.3 Main Politeness Theories in English-3

2.3.1 Grice’s Cooperative Principle-3

2.3.2 Leech’s Politeness Principle-4

2.3.3 Lakoff’s Politeness Principles-5

2.3.4 Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory-5

2.4 Main Politeness Principles in China-5

2.4.1 General Views-5

2.4.2 Gu’s Politeness Maims-6

Chapter Three A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Politeness Languages-7

3.1 Terms of Greeting-7

3.2 Terms of Addressing-7

3.3 Terms of Gratitude-8

3.4 Terms of Invitation-8

3.5 Terms of Goodbye-8

Chapter Four Implications -10

4.1 Avoidance of Pragmatic Failure and Miscommunication-10

4.2 Attention of the Cultural Differences-10

Chapter Five Conclusion-12

References-13