Politeness in Acculturation: How Power Dynamics Shape Intercommunication Between Chinese and Western Culture

Abstract

This research focuses on the attempts of individuals at different social levels within Chinese and Western cultural backgrounds to communicate and collaborate harmoniously. Based on the politeness principle proposed by American professor Grace, the research will explore the specific application in both China and Western cultures from three dimensions: hierarchical relations on honorifics and conditional sentences, implicatures and indirectness in a turn-taking. In detail, the research applies Jenny Thomas’s theoretical framework on Leech’s conversational maxims and the four factors influencing directness and aspires to examine and investigate the differentiated applications of the politeness principle in specific cultural dynamics. The researcher will examine dialogues in four classical texts such as King Lear, Pride and Prejudice, Dream of the Red Chamber and A New Accounts of Tales, alongside with the views of different scholars across the globe from different disciplinary angles. Ultimately, the research aims to provide theoretical insights for enhancing communication among multilingual talents in the post-pandemic era. These insights could facilitate more effective interactions and collaborations in an increasingly interconnected and acculturated world. Through this analysis, the researcher aims to bridge cultural divides and promote effective dialogue across diverse international business and social settings.