摘要
在跨文化交际时,来自中国和西方国家的人们在语言的使用和交流过程中往往会遇到一些困难。这是因为受不同文化、社会习俗、价值取向的影响，人们对于礼貌的理解有显著地差异。这常常会导致在跨文化交际中的语用失误。如果英语学习者想要更加深入的了解跨文化交际的本质,他们应该了解中英礼貌用语之间的差异以减少在进行跨文化交际中的冲突和误解。本文旨在研究中英礼貌用语的差异，首先从礼貌概念的起源和礼貌概念的内涵两方面分析中西方礼貌用语的文化差异,并分析了中英礼貌用语的特点。然后,分别列出中英礼貌原则并分析英语和汉语之间的礼貌语言的语用差异。最后, 从价值观、风俗习惯和思维方式这些方面探讨了其产生差异的原因。希望通过本文的分析可以帮助人们在跨文化交际中正确和适当地使用礼貌用语。

关键词：礼貌用语；礼貌概念起源; 中英礼貌原则；语用差异；
  
Abstract
In intercultural communication, people from China and western countries often encounter difficulties in language use and communication. This is because, influenced by different cultures, social customs, and value orientations, there are significant differences in people’s understanding of politeness, and this may often result in pragmatic failures and barriers in intercultural communication. If the English learners want to gain a deeper insight into the essence of cross-cultural communication, they should know the difference between Chinese and English polite language to reduce the conflicts and misunderstanding in the proceeding of intercultural communication. This paper aims to study differences in polite language between English and Chinese. It firstly talks about the cultural differences in politeness between China and west from the different origins and their different connotation, also talks about the features of polite language in English and Chinese. Then it presents the politeness principle in English and Chinese and analyzes the pragmatic differences in polite language between English and Chinese. Finally, it explores the reasons for the differences in polite language with respect to values, customs and ways of thinking. It is hoped that this paper can help people correctly and appropriately express politeness in cross-cultural communication.

Key words: polite language; origin of politeness; Chinese and English politeness principle; pragmatic differences

1. Introduction
   Politeness is a common phenomenon in all social groups. It is the lubricant to keep interpersonal harmony and a tool to keep social harmony. It is also a symbol of civilization. To a great degree the politeness facilitate the development of social and cultural. But at the same time, as every nation has its own culture we should have the awareness of the differences of politeness in different nations.