Abstract：Greetings as important parts exist in all languages communication and it is regarded as one of the symbols to start a conversation, providing an opportunity to establish and maintain social relationship. Accompanied by the rapid development of technology and science even globalization, in modern world, the communication is closer and closer. In the environment, how to use the language appropriately, and comply with the local language and cultural characteristics should be paid attention. This article starts from the function of greeting, and describes the similarities and differences between English and Chinese greetings speech acts. Study finds out that similarities between them are roughly divided into three categories: blessing greeting, concern greeting, compliment greeting; The differences lie in content, application, context and taboo the four aspects; Traditional culture, value view, thinking model, geographical factors are the reasons of differences between English and Chinese greeting speech act. Nonverbal greetings as a kind of supplement for verbal greetings also should be took into consider. And as the result of the society developed quickly, the two different culture, Chinese and English blend and influence mutually. Greeting plays an significance role in leading to topics, in order to strengthen interact, decrease differences, a large number of knowledge should be accumulated and learned, also should be put into practice frequently.

Key words: greetings; speech act; English; Chinese

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction- 1 -

2. The function of greetings speech act- 1 -

2.1 Keeping in harmony relation- 1 -

2.2 Closing the distance- 2 -

2.3 Leading to major topic- 2 -

3.The related theories of greetings- 2 -

3.1 Speech act theory- 2 -

3.2 Cooperative Principle- 3 -

3.3 Politeness Principle- 4 -

4.The similar part in greetings between Chinese and English- 4 -

4.1 Concern greeting- 5 -

4.2 Bless greeting- 5 -

4.3 Compliment greeting- 6 -

5. The differences in greetings between Chinese and English- 7 -

5.1 Difference in application- 7 -

5.2 Difference in content- 8 -

5.3 Difference in context- 9 -

5.4 Difference in taboo- 9 -

6. Non-speech act greetings- 10 -

7. Reasons of the differences- 11 -

7.1 Traditional culture- 11 -

7.2 Value view- 11 -

7.3 Thinking model- 12 -

7.3.1 Abstract thinking and imaginal thinking- 12 -

7.3.2 Linear analysis and circular synthesis- 12 -

7.3.3 Hypotaxis and parataxis- 13 -

7.4 Geographic factor- 13 -

8. Suggestions- 14 -

8.1 Learning more information about greeting- 14 -

8.2 Making more friends- 15 -

8.3 Watching English shows- 15 -

8.4 Putting what we learned into practice- 15 -

9. Conclusion- 16 -

References- 17 -

Acknowledgments- 18 -