Reprinted Why do foreigners think Chinese people are impolite when they speak English?

The biggest problem with Chinese pronunciation in English is the lack of continuous pronunciation, but this is not the most important language problem. Foreigners often comment that many Chinese people sound impolite when speaking English. It is not that these Chinese people are impolite themselves, but that they are not used to polite expressions in English. For example, Chinese people in restaurants or cafes will say: "I want a hamburger" or "I want a cup of coffee." However, if you directly translate these words into English "I want to have a hamburger." or "I want to have a coffee." Foreigners will find it very impolite to speak like this, and of course they will not tell you directly. In Western countries, foreigners usually say: "Could I have a hamburger, please?" or "Can I have a coffee, please?" Here, Joy mentioned another issue that needs attention, "Working children are the most What is easy not to pay attention to is see you. See u should be said by the customer, implying that he thinks it is good and will come again. It is better for the clerk to use a more low-key bye. See u is too strong. You don’t need to say you are welcome. This is too formal, and it feels like you really take yourself seriously and feel that you are helping others. Just answer cheers or no worries. If the other person just wants to say thank you, you don’t even have to respond. To thank him, just say what you want to say. If he is thanking you for buying something from him, he cannot say "you are welcome". It is best to thank the other person as well." Another example is when Chinese people refuse invitations to lunch. Or at a dinner party, you will say: "Sorry, I can't go, I have other arrangements." Translated into English is "Sorry, I can't. I have another appointment." If you say this, then others may make the second appointment. I won't invite you again. Foreigners usually say: "That is a good idea! I would like to join in but I have another appointment today." We can summarize some "polite" skills from it: 1. Westerners (mainly refers to those who have a certain degree of accomplishment) Europeans and Americans) use modal verbs more often when communicating with others: can, could, may, might, would, etc. Modal verbs (Model Verbs) are also called modal auxiliary verbs (Model Auxil-iaries), indicating the speaker The tone can express suggestions, requirements, possibilities, wishes, etc., making the tone of speaking more polite. 2. Use the subjunctive mood more often, such as would (had) rather, would (had) sooner, would (just) as soon, etc., or use the past tense in declarative sentences to express the subjunctive mood, or use if and other guiding clauses to express the subjunctive mood. "possibility". Speaking like this can make people feel that the speaker is considering achieving the best results or methods, trying to avoid bad results or methods, or speculating on possible problems and finding possible solutions. 3. Please is often added at the end of a sentence instead of at the beginning. When please is used at the beginning of a sentence, the tone sounds stronger and it sounds like a command. For example, when asking someone to do something, we Chinese will say, "Please reply to me by Monday. Thank you." But if you say directly in English, "Please reply to me by Monday. Thank you." the listener will think that you She was ordering him, without any courtesy at all. And it would be polite to say: "Could you please reply to me by Monday? Thank you."

4. When the expression of declarative sentences may seem blunt or impolite, try to use questions, negative sentences or clauses, try to avoid your own subjective judgment or arbitrariness, and use a positive, suggestive, comparative, and humane tone instead of negative, Commanding, direct, and assertive tone. 5. Speak with others as the center, with affirmation and approval of others as the premise, and make yourself appear humble and small. After you finish speaking, you should also include a "Thank you" or "Thanks". In fact, this polite expression comes from ancient China. This is the most common point between Eastern and Western cultures, and it is also the basic principle of life. Understand polite expressions in English, try to make your English expressions more polite, and integrate into society. ................................................................. ................................................................. .................................. Speaking of this, Let’s simply follow the weak thinking of the British in August 18th. When the British say "very good" to you, when the British say "by the way", when the British say "basically agree", what do they actually mean? And how do you understand it? Don’t misunderstand what they mean and make a joke! When the British say "I hear what you say. " They mean "I disagree and do not want to discuss it further." But what others understand is "He accepts my point of view." What they said was "I disagree and don't want to discuss it further," while others interpreted it as "He accepted my point of view." When the British say "With the greatest respect... " They mean "I think you are an idiot." But what others understand is "He is listening to me." , what they mean is "I think you are too stupid", but others understand it as "he is listening to me." When the British say "That's not bad. " They mean "That's good." But what others understand is "That's poor." Others interpreted it as "too bad." When the British say "That is a very brave proposal. " They mean "You are insane." But what others understand is "He thinks I have courage." What they meant was "You're crazy," while others interpreted it as "He thinks I'm brave."

When the British say "Quite good. " They mean "A bit disappointing." But what others understand is "Quite good." People understand it as "sincerely good". When the British say "I would suggest... " They mean "Do it or be prepared to justify yourself." But what others understand is "Think about the idea, but do what you like." When the suggestion is..." they meant "go practice or be prepared to prove yourself," while others interpreted it as "consider his idea, but still do what I want." When the British say "Oh, incidentally / by the way... " They mean "The primary purpose of our discussion is..." But what others understand is "That is not very important." When saying...", they meant "the most fundamental purpose of our discussion is...", but others understood it as "the next words are not very important." When the British say "I was a bit disappointed that... " They mean "I am annoyed that..." But what others understand is "It doesn't really matter." "little disappointment," they meant "I'm annoyed by...," while others interpreted it as "innocuous." When the British say "Very interesting. " They mean "That is clearly nonsense." But what others understand is "They are impressed." ”, while others interpreted it as “That’s really impressive.” When the British say "I'll bear it in mind. " They mean "I've forgotten it already." But what others understand is "They will probably do it." Sometimes, they meant "I don't remember", but others understood it as "They will probably do it."

When the British say "I'm sure it's my fault. " They mean "It's your fault." But what others understand is "Why do they think it was their fault?" When the British say "You must come for dinner. " They mean "It's not an invitation, I'm just being polite." But what others understand is "I will get an invitation soon." When the British say, "You must come to the banquet," they mean, "That's not an invitation." , I'm just trying to be polite", but others interpreted it as "I'm going to receive an invitation soon." When the British say "I almost agree. " They mean "I don't agree at all." But what others understand is "He's not far from agreement." "I don't agree at all", but others interpreted it as "he really, really agrees". When the British say "I only have a few minor comments. " They mean "Please re-write completely." But what others understand is "He has found a few typos." At that time, what they meant was "please rewrite it from beginning to end", but others interpreted it as "he just found some language errors". When the British say "Could we consider some other options?" They mean "I don't like your idea." But what others understand is "They have not yet decided." Choose?