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1 results

  • 3 - Chinese Face

  • Rong Chen, California State University, San Bernardino
  • Book:
    Chinese Politeness
    Published online:
    02 November 2023
    Print publication:
    16 November 2023, pp 33-49

  • Summary

    Chapter 3 is devoted to the notion of Chinese face. Chinese face, Chen argues, is bifurcated into Face1 and Face 2. Face 1, most often represented by lian, the lexeme that denotes the physical face of a person, refers to character, intelligence, morality, ethics, and accomplishment, aspects that identify and define a person. Face2, most often represented by mian(zi), the lexeme that denotes the surface of a person or thing, refers to the way a person appears to or is perceived by others. Face 1 is hence the person while Face2 is the persona (of the person). As such, Face 1 is intrinsic and internal while Face2 is other-facing and interactional; Face1 is gained over time while Face2 can be gained by one act; Face 1 is difficult to regain if lost while Face2 can be re-obtained via corrective actions.