Author(s)

Tu Kang

Corresponding Author

Tu Kang

ABSTRACT

The application of apology is very important in cross-cultural communication. It not only represents the English level of apologists, but also reflects the personal accomplishment of apologists. From the cross-cultural perspective, this paper analyses the choice and contextual features of apologies in English and Chinese, and the language forms of apologies in English and Chinese. Then it analyses the causes of the differences under the two cultural backgrounds from four aspects: the differences in the understanding of apologies, the differences in the use frequency of apologies, the influence of social distance on apologies in English and Chinese, and the influence of relative power on apologies in English and Chinese. Suggestions on cross-cultural integration are put forward.

KEYWORDS

Business communication, English and Chinese apologies, Contrast