Abstract: Speech act theory is the first complete theory of pragmatics which proposed by the professor of Oxford--Austin. The refusals, as an important consisting part of the speech act theory and human communication, is becoming one of the major concern of the domestic and foreign experts and scholars. For a good communication, refusal is essential in people’s daily life. Refusals even play an important role in cross-culture communication. The paper is based on the research of Chinese and foreign linguists to refusal, and it takes a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between Chinese and English refusal and the reasons leading to the difference. The paper concludes that systematized analysis of the refusals can help language learners to learn the refusals more clearly and impactfully, and let the English learners get to know the western culture better.

Key words: refusals; expressions; reasons

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.2

2.1 Definition of Refusal

2.2 Classification of Refusal

3. The Difference of Refusal Expression between Chinese and English. 5

3.1 Direct Refusal

  3.1.1 Emphasis by Repeated ‘No’

  3.1.2 Only One Word—‘No’

 3.1.3 A Reason for ‘No’

3.2 Indirect Refusal

  3.2.1 With Explanation or Reason

  3.2.2 With a Hope

3.2.3 With Apology or Regret

3.2.4 With Question 

4. The Reasons for the Differences of the Chinese and English Refusal8

4.1 Thinking Mode

4.1.1 Overall Thinking vs. Individual Thinking

4.1.2 Visual Thinking vs. Logical Thinking

4.2 Value Orientation

4.2.1 Different Attitudes Towards Right Assignment

4.2.2 Differences Between Individualization and Collectivization

5. Conclusion11

Bibliography.12

Acknowledgements13