本文之研究屬於社會語言學的範圍，旨在試圖探究文化成份和語言間之密
切關聯。本文討論為人熟知的 Sapir-whorf 假設。但此一假設因為訴求
太強烈，並不能有效地解釋語言及文化間之密切關聯。其他有關文化及語
言關係之假設亦一併討論。結果顯示：語言是其文化之一部份。但前者並
不整個為後者所涵蓋。再者，兩者形成的動力是相輔相成的。本文分六部
份探討美式英語及在臺灣之中文間之文化價值觀的異同。最後，本文著重
在讚美語此一語言行為的調查研究。令人驚訝的是：此一語言行為本質上
是公式化的。此外，其所使用的公式在數量上是相當有限的。本文對此一
語言行為做了中美兩種語言之跨文化研究，其結果是相同點超過相異點。
其相異之處是由於這兩種語言在某些文化價值上之不同觀點所造成的。最
後，有一章節專門討論讚美語之教學。習題之設計是為了幫助語言學習者
克服學習此一語言行為時可能遭遇的困難。最終目的乃在使學習中英文者
能夠與說此二語言者做有效的溝通。

The present study investigates the sociolinguistic aspect of
language and attempts to explore the close relationship between
cultural elements and language. The famous Sapir-whorf
Hypothesis is examined. But since this hypothesis makes its
claim too strongly, it couldn't account for the close
relationship between language and culture favorably. Other
hypotheses concerning the relationship of these two are
discussed. The result shows that language is a part of its
culture. But the former is not wholly subsumed under the
latter. Moreover, the formation dynamic is mutual. Culture is
so important in the learning of language that it deserves much
attention. Cultural values under six headings are discussed
between American English and Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan.
Finally, the speech act of complimenting is selected as the
focus of sociolinguistic investigation of this study. To the
surprise of both native speakers and language learners, this
speech act is formulaic in nature. In addition, the numbers of
formulas employed are quite limited. A crosscultural comparison
between English and Chinese concerning this speech act is
conducted. The result shows that similarities outnumber
differences. The differences are due to different perceptions
of cultural values of these two languages. Finally, a whole
section is devoted to the teaching of compliments. Exercises
are devised to help students overcome difficulties in learning
this speech act. The final goal is to equip students with the
ability to communicate favorably with native speakers.
The present study investigates the sociolinguistic aspect of