A Cursory Study Of The Honorific In Chinese

Honorific goes with the development of the Chinese language, playing an important role in showing politeness and respect in communication. This paper gives a brief introduction to honorific in Chinese from the following four aspects: definition, characteristics, classification and handing-down and variation. Chapter one is the introduction part, giving a literature review in the research background and introducing the research method and object. Chapter two is on the definition and characteristics of the honorific. The author elaborates different definitions and explanations given by many scholars; analyses the relationship between honorific and polite language; and tries to generalize four characteristics of the honorific. Chapter three is on the type and classification of the honorific. First of all, the honorific can be divided into respect-showing expression and self-depreciatory expression. Based on its practical function, it can be classified into appellation honorific and description honorific. Further detailed classification is also made in this chapter. Chapter four deal with the handing-down and variation. Through specific examples, the author discusses the handing-down of the honorific from morphological, semantic and word-building perspectives, and the variation of the honorific in function, degree and range of respect-showing. In chapter five, the conclusion, the author points some unusual usages of the honorific, emphasizes the important role of the honorific in social civilization.