The study is motivated by the growing importance of intercultural communication in our
increasingly globalized world. Understanding the cultural underpinnings of language use
can enhance cross-cultural interactions, reduce misunderstandings, and foster more
effective communication. While politeness strategies have been widely studied, this thesis
offers a specific comparative analysis between Chinese and Canadian cultural contexts,
contributing to a deeper understanding of how these two cultures approach politeness in
English.
In Chinese culture, politeness is often closely tied to concepts such as ‘face’ (面子) and
hierarchy. Apologies and requests are formulated to maintain harmony and show respect,
often involving indirect language and honorifics. Conversely, Canadian culture, influenced
by Western norms, emphasizes individualism and directness. Politeness in this context tends
to be more straightforward, with an emphasis on clarity and efficiency. These cultural
differences are expected to manifest in distinct pragmatic strategies when speakers from
these backgrounds use English.
This thesis will employ a qualitative and quantitative approach, analyzing naturalistic data
from a questionnaire in both Chinese and Canadian contexts. By examining how speakers
of English from these backgrounds formulate apologies and requests, the study will identify
key differences and similarities in their politeness strategies. Additionally, it will explore the
underlying cultural values that drive these practices.
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The findings of this research are anticipated to have practical implications for educators,
business professionals, and anyone engaged in cross-cultural communication. By
highlighting the ways in which cultural norms shape language use, this study aims to
provide insights that can enhance mutual understanding and effective interaction between
Chinese and Canadian English speakers.
In summary, this thesis seeks to navigate the intricate landscape of politeness across
cultures, offering a detailed examination of how Chinese and Canadian cultural
backgrounds influence pragmatic language use in English. Through this comparative
analysis, it aims to contribute to the broader field of intercultural communication and
pragmatic studies.
What I Need is a theoretical background that consists of :
1.1 What is Pragmatics?
1.1.2 speech acts apologies und request
1.2 Politeness Strategies 2 (direct – indirect)
1.2.1 Politeness Strategies in Mandarin (China)
1.2.2 Politeness Strategies in English (Canada)
And the introduction which consists of Background, current research and Research Question and Hypotheses.
The case study is already coded and the methodolgy is written