Abstract：Apology strategy is an important area in the face culture of China and the United States, including which occasions need to apologize, which occasions do not need to apologize, in what way to express apology and so on. This paper makes a contrastive analysis of the Chinese and American face views from the perspective of apology speech act and related theories. This paper first analyzes and compares the apology strategies of China and the United States, compares the differences in the frequency of apology and the choice of apology language between China and the United States, and then analyzes the reasons for the differences. Finally, some suggestions are put forward for the barrier-free communication between China and the United States in the future cross-cultural communication. 

The study finds that Chinese and American face culture, because of the differences in values, thinking patterns, led to their emphasis on collectivism and individualism in different degrees. In order to obtain a better communicative purpose in intercultural communication, improve intercultural communicative competence and avoid unnecessary conflicts, it is necessary to understand the deep meaning of Chinese and American apology terms, and pay attention to the occasion, language and frequency of apology. 

The first part of this paper introduces the research background, research purpose and significance. The second chapter is literature review, which provides a theoretical basis for the study of this paper. The third chapter is to analyze and compare the use of apology strategies between China and the United States. The fourth chapter is the analysis of the differences of face culture between China and the United States and the reasons. The fifth chapter puts forward some suggestions for the in-depth cross-cultural exchanges between China and the United States. 

Keywords:  speech act  apology strategies  face culture  differenc

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-3

1.1 Background-3

1.2 Significance of the Research-3

1.3 Purpose of the Research-4

1.4 Structure of the Thesis-4

Chapter Two Literature Review-5

2.1 Speech Act Theory-5

2.2 Face Theory-5

2.3 Related Studies in Home and Abroad-7

Chapter Three Comparisons of Apology Strategies between China and the United States -9

3.1 Similarities-9

3.2 Differences-9

3.2.1 Frequency of Apology-9

3.2.2 Choice of Apology Language-10

3.3 The Correlations of Face Culture and Apology Speech Act-10

Chapter Four Different Face Cultures between China and the United States-12

4.1 Positivity and Negativity-12

4.2 Collectivity and Individuality-13

4.3 Reasons for Face Culture Differences between China and the United States-13

4.3.3 Differences in Values-14

Chapter Five Conclusion-15

References-16