| Acknowledgements | 第1-7页 |
| Abstract in Chinese | 第7-8页 |
| Abstract in English | 第8-9页 |
| Preface in Chinese | 第9-14页 |
| Introduction | 第14-16页 |
| Chapter 1 Literature Review | 第16-29页 |
| ·Cultural Values | 第16-17页 |
| ·Definition of Cultural Values | 第16-17页 |
| ·Collectivism and Individualism | 第17-21页 |
| ·Collectivism in China | 第18-20页 |
| ·Individualism in America | 第20-21页 |
| ·Language and Culture | 第21-23页 |
| ·Definition of Polite Language | 第21-22页 |
| ·Relationship Between Language and Culture | 第22-23页 |
| ·Politeness Principles of Geoff Leech and Gu Yueguo | 第23-25页 |
| ·Socio-Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication | 第25-26页 |
| ·Stereotyping in Intercultural Communication | 第26-27页 |
| ·Empathy in Intercultural Communication | 第27-28页 |
| ·Summary | 第28-29页 |
| Chapter 2 Polite Language Used by the Chinese and the American Respectively | 第29-40页 |
| ·Address Terms | 第29-34页 |
| ·Forms of Address Used by the Chinese and the American | 第29-32页 |
| ·Terms of Respect and Terms of Modesty Used by the Chinese and the American | 第32-34页 |
| ·Reception of Guests | 第34-38页 |
| ·Invitations Extended by the Chinese and the American | 第34-36页 |
| ·Polite Expressions Used at Table by the Chinese and the American | 第36-38页 |
| ·Greetings Used by the Chinese and the American | 第38-40页 |
| Chapter 3 Collectivism and Individualism Underlying Polite Language | 第40-51页 |
| ·Collectivism Underlying Polite Language | 第40-45页 |
| ·Modesty Underlying the Choice of Polite Language | 第42-43页 |
| ·Harmony Underlying the Choice of Polite Language | 第43-44页 |
| ·Guanxi-Orientation Underlying the Choice of Polite Language | 第44-45页 |
| ·Collectivism and Politeness Principle of Gu Yueguo | 第45-46页 |
| ·Individualism Underlying Polite Language | 第46-51页 |
| ·Privacy Underlying the Choice of Polite Language | 第47-48页 |
| ·Personal Freedom Underlying the Choice of Polite Language | 第48-49页 |
| ·Self-reliance Underlying the Choice of Polite language | 第49-51页 |
| Chapter 4 Positive Role of Stereotype and Empathy in Reducing Socio-Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication with the American | 第51-56页 |
| ·Possible Ways to Reduce Socio-Pragmatic Failure in Intercultural Communication | 第51-56页 |
| ·Positive Role of Stereotype in Intercultural Communication | 第52-54页 |
| ·Positive Role of Empathy in Intercultural Communication | 第54-56页 |
| Chapter 5 Conclusion | 第56-58页 |
| References | 第58-59页 |
