Different Connotations of “Modesty” Lying in Western and Eastern Culture

【Abstract】as a common morality，politeness is the symbol of human civilization and a primary principle abided by people in interpersonal communication.However，the standard and the way of expression of politeness are fluctuated with different culture.This essay takes analysis on different connotations of “modesty” lying in the western culture and eastern culture deeply and explains the cause for that，for the purpose of helping people avoid pragmatic mistake in intercultural communication at the best to achieve considerable communicative effect.

【Key words】Principle of politeness； Modesty； Difference in culture

1.Leech and Principle of Politeness

Polite language，as the primary means of communication， makes significant influence on interpersonal conversation.H.P.Grice declaimed both sides of communication should abide by some basic principles，which is the principle of cooperation，[1]in order to make sure conversation proceed in consistency.Although Grice pointed out due to disobey principle of cooperation，people are bound to be inflicted by inappropriate meaning during conversation，he was unable to explain the reason why people disobey principle of cooperation by adopting a great amount of indirect euphemism.Leech considered that people disobey principle of cooperation on account of politeness and complemented principle of cooperation by bringing up six maxims of politeness principle in perspective of interpersonal communication，tact maxim，generosity maxim，approbation maxim，modesty maxim，agreement maxim and sympathy maxim.In his opinion，conversation can achieve satisfactory impression in accordance with reasonable application of six maxims.[2]Leech reckoned the theory of politeness is possessed of universality as well as is restricted by distinct culture.

2.The Distinction between Connotation of Modesty in Western and Eastern society

2.1 The comparison between concept of modesty lying in western and eastern culture

Chinese people attach importance to modesty in social interpersonal communication since ancient time.Modesty is regarded as merit and basic requirement of personal behavior.Thus，people are incompetent for cautiously expressing sincere outward without inner modesty.So- called modesty in Chinese culture is people pour contempt on themselves，while flatter the others.By contrast，the meaning of modesty in western culture is that reduces self- praise but not despises their own，since according to western culture，modesty refers people should stand in equal position.Above all，the connotation of modesty in Chinese culture is divergent from the principle of modesty put forward by Leech

2.2 The comparison of pragmatic tactic of modesty between western and eastern culture

There are excessive expressions of pragmatic tactic in terms of modesty.At first，Chinese respond to compliment and applause by applying self- depreciation and compromise of pragmatic tactic，whereas western people tend to accept complement by way of acceptance and mitigation.Xiong Xueliang wrote that eastern culture pay attention to principle of modesty.For example，when A praise B s appearance and achievement，Chinese people will answer “不” “哪里，哪里”“過獎了”while western people would answer by thank you.Consequently eastern respond sacrifice principle of consistency，on contrary，western respond ignore principle of modesty.Chinese are accustomed to disapprove of others complement or depreciate themselves to express modesty and politeness； however，western people regard the flat refusal about their complement as impoliteness.

Secondly，China is a nation of etiquette and Chinese are accomplished in adopting usage of humbleness to express themselves and something related to them selves by using “小”“愚”“寒”“敝”，while usage of honor to call other and something or somebody related to other by using “貴”“尊”“令”.Nevertheless，there is not such pragmatic regulation in western culture.

Above all，modesty is considered as merit and demand of the way one gets along with others.But modesty holds different connotations and modes of expression in eastern and western culture.Leechs principle of politeness is concerned with maxim of modesty，but modesty is the preliminary demand and moral standard for people in eastern culture.

3.The Reason of Forming Different Meanings of Modesty Locating in Eastern and Western Culture

Politeness is the social convention that can be observed and behavior criterion.The polite language and behavior is just the superficial representation，reflection of peculiar cultural value on language.Thus real characteristic can be emerged from various presentations by deeply exploring essential level of culture.Owing to difference in logical thinking，value and language，the ways of realizing politeness and the standard about politeness is various，which are embodied by different interpretations about modesty and pragmatic tactic.

Different complementary languages and ways of response are determined by different moral values and traditional conventions.Politeness is related closely to traditional social institutions in Chinese society.Etiquette is the main idea of thought of Confucianists，which regulated hierarchical difference among social member，required each member should speak and act according to their social status.The spirit of etiquette maintains social ranking difference and appeal people should take action in conformity with expectation of society.Therefore self- humility is advocated as polite behavior.

The core of Chinese culture is “self- humility” based on doctrine of the mean，which is one of important cultural psychology in china with a long history.Confucius regarded mean as the highest stature of moral.Throughout several thousand years，this kind of value is rooted deeply into people thought as well as Chinese language.

What is more，Chinese geography determines china is an agricultural society，leading to agricultural culture； consequently it is prone to brings on collective quintessence，which requires people should pay attention to interpersonal relationship and take cooperation during collective labor.All that needs to be modest.

However，western culture is influenced by ancient Greek culture and Christianity； in addition，western society has faith in mercantilism that is the originality of individualism，freedom and independence.Thus western people，who consider action showing respect for individual right freedom as politeness，struggle to pursue personal independence and right.The essence of politeness pays emphasis on the equality among people an individual value.Thus individual confidence is cultivated in western society.When a man obtains great achievement，he never conceals his confidence，sense of honor and happiness.Consequently，in face of others compliment，he has enough courage to accept by saying thank you，which show deference for others as well as defend his dignity.

4.Conclusion

In conclusion，although modesty is the capital principle that the western and the eastern should stick to in the interpersonal communication，due to the different traditional conventions and values of world that formed in the long history，distinctive geographic feather between the west and the east，the connotations lying in the concept of modesty are bound to fluctuate with particular culture.Thus，to avoid pragmatic mistakes in the daily conversation，people should tell distinction carefully in the connotation consisting in modesty between the east and the west.

References：

[1]He ZhaoxiongPragmatic.Summary[M].Shanghai：上海外語教育出版社.1989.

[2]Leech Geoffrey N.Principles of Pragmatics[M].NewYork： Longman.1983.22-23.

作者簡介：涂艷，女，1982年9月，重慶萬州人，助教， 碩士研究生，研究方向：西方文化。