Politeness Strategies PDF

In everyday conversation, there are ways to go about getting the things we want. When we are with a group of friends, we can say to them, "Go get me that plate!", or "Shut-up!" However, when we are surrounded by a group of adults at a formal function, in which our parents are attending, we must say,...

In everyday conversation, there are ways to go about getting the things we want. When we are with a group of friends, we can say to them, "Go get me that plate!", or "Shut-up!" However, when we are surrounded by a group of adults at a formal function, in which our parents are attending, we must say, "Could you please pass me that plate, if you don't mind?" and "I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt, but I am not able to hear the speaker." In different social situations, we are obligated to adjust our use of words to fit the occasion. It would seem socially unacceptable if the phrases above were reversed. According to Brown and Levinson, politeness strategies are developed in order to save the hearers' "face." Face refers to the respect that an individual has for him or herself, and maintaining that "self-esteem" in public or in private situations (every individual's public self- image). We usually try to avoid embarrassing others, or making them feel uncomfortable. Face Threatening Acts (FTA's) are acts that infringe on the hearers' need to maintain his/her self esteem and be respected. Politeness strategies are developed for the main purpose of dealing with these FTA's. What would you do if you saw a cup of pens on your teacher's desk, and you wanted to use one, would you a. say? "Ooh, I want to use one of those!" b. say? "So, is it O.K. if I use one of those pens?" c. say? "I'm sorry to bother you but, I just wanted to ask you if I could use one of those pens?" d. indirectly say? "Hmm, I sure could use a blue pen right now." There are four types of politeness strategies, described by Brown and Levinson, that sum up human "politeness" behavior: Bald On Record, Negative Politeness, Positive Politeness, and Off-Record-indirect strategy. If you answered A, you used what is called the Bald on-record strategy which provides no effort to minimize threats to your teachers' "face." If you answered B, you used the Positive Politeness strategy. In this situation you recognize that your teacher has a desire to be respected. It also confirms that the relationship is friendly and expresses group reciprocity. If you answered C, you used the Negative Politeness strategy which is similar to Positive Politeness in that you recognize that they want to be respected; however, you also assume that you are in some way imposing on them. Some other examples would be to say, "I don't want to bother you but..." or "I was wondering if..." If you answered D, you used Off-Record indirect strategies. The main purpose is to take some of the pressure off you. You are trying not to directly impose by asking for a pen. Instead you want it to be offered to you once the teacher realizes you need one, and you are looking to find one. A great example of this strategy is something that almost everyone has done or will do when you have, on purpose, decided not to return someone's phone call; therefore, you say, " I tried to call a hundred times, but there was never any answer." Examples from Brown and Levinson's Politeness strategies: Bald on-record: These provide no effort by you to reduce the impact of the FTA's. You will most likely shock the person to whom you are speaking, embarrass them, or make them feel a bit uncomfortable. However, this type of strategy is commonly found with people who know each other very well, and are very comfortable in their environment, such as close friends and family). An Emergency: HELP!! Task oriented: Give me that! Request: Put your coat away. Alerting: Turn your headlights on! (When alerting someone to something they should be doing) Positive Politeness: It is usually seen in groups of friends, or where people in the given social situation know each other fairly well. It usually tries to minimize the distance between them by expressing friendliness and solid interest in the hearer's need to be respected (minimize the FTA). Attend to the hearer: "You must be hungry; it's a long time since breakfast. How about some lunch?" Avoid disagreement: A: " What is she, small?" B: "Yes, yes, she's small, smallish, um, not really small but certainly not very big." Assume agreement: "So when are you coming to see us?" Hedge opinion: "You really should sort of try harder." Negative Politeness: The main focus for using this strategy is to assume that you may be imposing on the hearer, and intruding on his space. Therefore, these automatically assume that there might be some social distance or awkwardness in the situation. Be indirect: "I'm looking for a comb." In this situation you are hoping that you will not have to ask directly, so as not to impose and take up the hearer's time. Therefore, by using this indirect strategy, you hope they will offer to go find one for you. Forgiveness: "You must forgive me but...." Minimize imposition: "I just want to ask you if I could use your computer?" Pluralize the person responsible: "We forgot to tell you that you needed to by your plane ticket by yesterday." This takes all responsibility off of only you and onto "we", even if you were the person responsible for telling the hearer when the deadline was to buy the ticket. Off-Record (indirect): You are removing yourself from any imposition whatsoever. Give hints: "It's cold in here." Be vague: "Perhaps someone should have been more responsible." Be sarcastic, or joking: "Yeah, he's a real rocket scientist!"