Politeness Theory PDF

Politeness Theory The Politeness theory is a theory that appeared within the framework of pragmatic approach in linguistics. politeness is understood as the ability of people to use interactive strategies depending on communicative situation. A. “She needs sustenance,” a distant voice said. “You...

Politeness Theory The Politeness theory is a theory that appeared within the framework of pragmatic approach in linguistics. politeness is understood as the ability of people to use interactive strategies depending on communicative situation. A. “She needs sustenance,” a distant voice said. “You have food for her?” She caught the F rench accent. “In the fridge in the kitchen. Justin, be a pal and grab her something.” (Laurey 2005) B. “I like seafood,” she said. “Would you mind terribly if I pick up something too? I can make a salad if you don’t mind.” (Reasner 2005) In (A.), the speaker appeals to the hearer’s positive face by emphasizing their solidarity, via the phrase be a “pal”. In (B.), on the other hand, the speaker acknowledges the hearer’s negative face by hedging her request with “Would you mind terribly if” … rather than coming straight out and making the request. The speaker in (A.) has chosen to emphasize the hearer’s positive face at the expensive of his negative face; she could instead have hedged the request as the speaker in (B.) did. The speaker on (B.) has chosen to respect her speaker’s negative face at the expense of his positive face; she could instead have chosen a much more informal, less hedged, way of phrasing the request, as in (A.), to emphasize positive face.