8. Theories of Politeness

Question 1

Principle of Politeness

Answer 1

• Politeness is supposed to be neutral

- Politeness is asymmetrical – what is polite to H can be impolite to S and visa verca

Question 2

Leech’s Maxims

Answer 2

Tact, Generosity, Approbation, Modesty, Agreement, Sympathy

Question 3

Tact maxim

Answer 3

1. Minimize cost to hearer

2. Maximize benefit to hearer

Question 4

Generosity maxim

Answer 4

1. Minimize benefit to self

2. Maximize cost to self

Question 5

Approbation maxim

Answer 5

1. Minimize dispraise of other

2. Maximize praise of other

Question 6

Modesty maxim

Answer 6

1. Minimize praise of self

2. Maximize dispraise of self

Question 7

Agreement maxim

Answer 7

1. Minimize disagreement between self and other

2. Maximize agreement between self and other

Question 8

Sympathy maxim

Answer 8

1. Minimize antipathy between self and other

2. Maximize sympathy between self and other

Question 9

Leech’ maxims can be flouted

Answer 9

• One can be superficially polite, but patently insincere, leading to rudeness by implicature = IRONY PRINCIPLE
• One can be superficially rude, but patently insincere, leading to politeness by implicature = BANTER PRINCIPLE

Question 10

Face

Answer 10

• Public self-image everyone wants to claim for themselves - two aspects

Question 11

Positive face

Answer 11

• the positive consistent self-image or personality (including the desire that the self-image to be appreciated and approved of) claimed by interactants

Question 12

Negative face

Answer 12

the basic claim to territories, personal preserves, rights to non-distraction (freedom of action and imposition

Question 13

Face threatening acts (FTAs)

Answer 13

• illocutionary acts that can damage or threaten another person’s face
• kinds of face threatened x threats to s’s vs h’s face

Question 14

Threaten h’s negative face

Answer 14

• Put pressure on h to do/not do act A: orders, requests, suggestion, advice, reminding, threats, warnings
• Predict future act that puts pressure on h to accept/reject it or incur a debt: offers, promises
• Predicate s’s desire on h’s goods: compliments, expression of envy/lust

Question 15

Threaten h’s positive face

Answer 15

• S has a negative evaluation of some aspect of h’ positive face: expressions of disapproval, criticism, complaints, contradictions, challenges
• S doesn’t care about h’s positive face: expression of violent emotions, irreverence, taboo topics, blatant non-cooperation, inappropriate use of status markers