第1个回答 2014-01-01
Ways of address
In recent years, the trend of many English-speaking people has been to address others by using the first name — Tom, Linda, Michael, Jane, Jane, etc — rather than calling the person Mr.summers, Mrs.Howard or Miss Jones. This is especially common among Americans, even when people meet for the first time. This applies not only to people of roughly the same age, but also of different ages. It is not a sign of disrespect. It is not at all uncommon to hear a child calling a much older person — Joe, Ben, May, Helen, etc. This may even include the children’s parents or grandparents. People of different social status do the same. For example, many college students call their professors by their first names. The professors do not regard this as a sign of disrespect or familiarity, but rather, as an indication that the professor is considered affable and a sense of equality. This, of course, is quite counter Chinese custom. One can imagine the reactions of adults if a child were to call a grandparent by his or her first name, or a student to do the same in calling a teacher. A quick reprimand, and possible even a spanking for the child, would be sure to follow.
Another common Chinese form of address is use of a person’s tittle ,office ,or occupation ,such as 黄局长，林经理，马校长 . But one seldom hears English seakers addressing others as Bureau Director Smith , Manager Jackson and the like . In English , only a few occupations or tittles would be used : Doctor – is common for those who have qualified in medical profession , and judge – for those authorized to try cases in law courts ; Governor – and Major – maybe used for those who hold such offices , although often without the name . The name with Proffessor - , however ,there are very few others .
Both Chinese and English have expression for gratitude , apologies , remarks preceding a request , for example , there are [ 谢谢，对不起，请…. Thank you ,I’m sorry ,Execuse me] . On the whole ,there are quite simillar and present no problem . However ,even among these ,there are certain differnces .
Thank you , and Chinese please – Both of these are used more widely than the Chinese 谢谢，请… For minor favors , like borrowing a pencil , asking directions , requesting someone to pass on a message , calling a person to the telephone and the like , such polite expression are often omitted by Chinese , especially among close friends and members of the family . The more frequent use of Thank you and please by westerners is often regarded as unnecessary and even tiresome by many Chinese . On the other hand , the Chinese attitude – that appreciation is understood and need not to be expressed – is sometimes taken for rudeness or lack of consideration by westerners .
Replises to thank you are similar . The most common are Not at all , Don’t mention it ,You’re welcome , 没什么 ，不用谢 . But what reply should be given guides and serve people when a foreign person says Thank you for a job well done ? This is a situation often met by hotel attendants , meseum or exhibition guides and for tour guides . To translate the Chinese expression :这是我应给做的 as It’s my duty conveys the idea that the Chinese attendant or guide really did’t really want to do it , that he or she did it only because it was his/her duty . Quite a different message is conveyed ! A proper reply might be I’m glad to be help or It’s a pleasure .
The Chinese term 请 is usually regarded as equivalent to Please . However , in certain situation , the English Please would not be used . When offering or urging another person to be first in going through a door or getting in a car , the expression is generally after you (not you go first , as some people not well – acquainted with English are apt to say ) . At the meal table , Help yourself is customary when urging someone to start eating or to take more of the food .