POLITENESS PRINCIPLES IN THE EAST AND WEST

Abstract

The world today Is moving towards a global level. People are getting in touch with one another, making communication and intercultural change to happen.  Very often this gives rise to the need to master various principles and competences so that they can communicate in a polite and well-accepted manner. However, since the use of language carries its own cultural features, People with different language backgrounds are likely to experience misunderstandings and inconveniences in a new cultural setting. It is rherefore necessary to master politeness principles that support easiness of communication in the intercultural setting.

Politeness strategies in the East is often different from those in the West. In the intercultural setting, the participants who communicate will need to know how to apply them properly, considering various aspects of age, gender, power and distance relations, The text below will discuss application of politeness princples in the East and West.

Key words: intercultural setting, politeness principles