中美道歉的社会语言学分析

Sociolinguistic Analysis of Apology in China and the U.S.

在做出和接受(拒绝)道歉上,中国和美国有不同的策略。但这种策略的选择既不是完全由中美两国文化的不同所决定,也不完全是由于两个国家现实的政治选择。本文通过对2001年中美南海撞机事件和2008年美国CNN主持人辱华事件的解决过程,和中美双方在如何做出道歉和接受/拒绝道歉上的选择的分析,得出既不是"文化决定论"又不是"现实策略论"的结论,及道歉受到各种因素的共同作用。同时,道歉语言选择上的模糊帮助解决了两国的矛盾,但这种解决只是表面的,深层次的矛盾还需要两国加强对彼此的了解中加以解决。

Chinese and Americans have different strategies in making and accepting apologies. The choices of strategies are determined by both the cultural differences in the two countries and also the political situations. This paper analyzes the uses of apology strategies in dealing with the South China Sea Plane Collision incident in 2001 and Jack Cafferty＇ s offensive remarks on Chinese. The choices of apology strategies are attributed to three aspects ： 1 ） different strategy choices between the two countries ; 2） varied political cultures and 3） different political stances. The paper draws the conclusion that we should enhance our intercultural awareness. However, the apology strategies just paper over the conflicts between the two countries, the real settlement of the problems relies on the political policies of the two governments.