称赞语及其应答语的跨文化对比研究

Contrastive Cross-Cultural Study of Compliments and Compliment Responses

以美国语言学家的研究成果为参照,采用观察法和问卷调查法,搜集了952例汉语称赞语实例。文章的对比分析旨在阐述中国和美国文化背景下人们在称赞语及其应答语的使用方面体现出的异同点和价值观念差异。研究表明,在两种语言环境中,人们对于金钱、友谊、体重、外貌等高频率话题的文化价值观念存在较大的差异,这将导致对称赞语的不同理解甚至是误解,学习者必须了解这类差异,以便在跨文化交际场合中恰当地使用称赞语。

This contrastive study is based on 952 examples of co mplimenting in Chinese, which are collected through observation and elicitation approaches, and the data from Wolfson, Manes and Herbert’s studies. It attempts to illustrate the features of people’s using compliments and compliment respon ses in communication in the Chinese culture vs. in the Ame- rican culture. I t also discusses the different cultural assumptions embedded in the topics of hi gh occurrence for compliments in both Chinese and American English contexts and provides certain suggestions for language learners to make appropriate complimen t responses on some cross-cultural occasions.