Subject: Semantics and Pragmatics
Submitted to: Dr Katsiaryna Hurbik
Presented by: Fizza Ahmad (039)
Natasha Khalil (016)
Topic: Politeness Theory
by Penelope Brown and Stephen C. Levinson
Politeness Theory
Linguistic politeness are the ways in which language is used in
conversation to show consideration for the feelings and desires of one's
interlocutors, to create and uphold interpersonal relationships (so-called
politic behavior) to obey the rules of society & culture.
Brown and Levinson (1987) proposed the concept of politeness as a
self-public image which has relation to emotional and social sense of
self and expects everyone else to recognize. This theory forms a term of
“Face”.
Politeness (Brown and Levinson:1987) in interaction can be defined as
the means employed to show awareness of another person’s face.
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Politeness Theory
Held (2005) quotes Politeness as a linguistic structure, which “expresses
the speaker´s attitude and are thus not explicable by semantic, but
rather by pragmatic means”
“Thank you” or “Have a nice day” or address terms “sir” and “madam” as
polite are listed as polite. Watts (2003) groups them under the term
“politic behaviour”. The politic behaviour is a standard behaviour
expected by society in certain situations. Its omission would be
considered as impolite, rather than neutral behaviour.
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“
Yule (1996: 60) observes that 'Politeness'
may be regarded as a fixed concept only
within a particular culture, based on the
norms of the politeness social behavior,
which may differ from one cultural
community to another. By nature,
interlocutors are aware of the norms of
the society.
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Politeness Theory
Face wants is an expression used to signify everyday social interactions,
people generally behave as if their expectations concerning their public
self-image, or their face wants, will be respected. Meanwhile if some
actions might be interpreted as a threat to another’s face, the speaker can
say something to lessen the possible threat, this is called face saving act
(FSA). If a speaker says something that represents a threat to another
individual’s expectations regarding self-image it is described as face
threatening act (FTA).
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Negative and Positive Face
▷ Negative face is threatened when an individual does not avoid or intend
to avoid the obstruction of their interlocutor's freedom of [Link] can
cause damage to either the speaker or the hearer, and makes one of the
interlocutors submit their will to the other. Freedom of choice and
action are impeded when negative face is threatened.
▷ Like your friend asks for a ride to the airport,
▷ Negative face needs: You think, this is not favorable, I don't feel like
driving this guy to the airport. I have other stuff that I could be doing,
like sleeping .An act that affirms or denies a future act of the hearer
creates pressure on the hearer to either perform or not perform the act.
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▷ Examples: orders, requests, suggestions, advice, remindings, threats, or
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warnings.
Negative and Positive Face
Positive face is the need to be accepted, even liked by others, to be
treated as a member of the group and to know that his or her wants are
shared by others., Examples: apologies, acceptance of compliment.
Like your friend asks for a ride to the airport.
Positive face needs: You think, I better take him because I want him to
like me, and I want the reputation of being a reliable person (Goffman:
1967).
Positive face refers to one's self-esteem, while negative face refers to one's
freedom to act. In conclusion, we can say that negative face is the need
to be independent and positive face is the need to be connected.
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Politeness Strategies
Politeness strategies are speech acts that are used to prevent violation of
the hearer‘s face in particular social contexts.
Types of politeness strategies:
Bald-on record strategy:
The bald on-record strategy is the most direct and least polite strategy. It
does nothing to minimize threats to the hearer's "face". This strategy is
most often used in situations where the speaker has a close relationship
with the listener, such as family or close friends.
Examples:
Hear me out, Close the door!
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Positive politeness strategy:
The positive politeness strategy is used to minimize the threat to the
heart's positive face. Positive politeness strategies are intended to
avoid giving offense by highlighting friendliness and make the hearer
feel good.
Examples:
I'll just come along, if you don't mind.
That’s a nice outfit you’re wearing. Where did you get it?
Negative politeness strategy:
Negative politeness strategies are oriented towards the listener’s
negative face. They are intended to avoid giving offense by showing
deference. The face threat is reduced by emphasising avoidance of
imposition on the hearer.
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Examples:
I'm sorry; it's a lot to ask, but can you lend me a thousand dollars?
I do not want to bother you but I'll be thankful if you can help me.
Off-record strategy:
Off record strategies are most polite and indirect. It is used to remove
the speaker from the potential to be imposing and prevent the hearer
from being imposed on.
Example:
S: Are you going out?
H: Yes, but I’ll come home early.
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Accordingly, Brown and Levinson (1987) proposed their strategies of
politeness to protect interlocutor’s face when expressing their speech
acts in any social interaction. They claimed that these strategies may be
universal to help speakers take account of the social factors involved
with the speaker maintaining others’ face through his use of speech acts.
The importance of social factors in clarifying politeness strategies has
compelled the researchers to shed light on them before explaining
politeness strategies.
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Applicability of Politeness Theory
The politeness theory proposed by Brown and Levinson can be
applied in intercultural communication, interpersonal relationships,
workplace environments, and beyond. Brown and Levinson's
politeness theory is very applicable, not only in the area of study
within the communication field, but also helpful in guiding individuals
in ways to improve their speech and actions. However, Politeness
theory has been criticized for not really being as universally applicable
as claimed because of limited validity in non-western cultures.
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Conclusion:
Politeness is a socio-pragmatic
phenomenon. The politeness
theory is intended to account for
the many ways we may show
consideration for others in all of
our every day interactions.
'Politeness Theory' is not
universally valid, since languages
differ in their politeness scales and
strategies, which may differ from
one culture to another. The social
aspect of politeness is related to
the social identities of the
interlocutors and the relation
between them.
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Thanks!
Any questions?
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