Conversation Theory

Question 1

Who came up with the cooperative principles and when?

Answer 1

Grice 1975

Question 2

What are the cooperative principles known as?

Answer 2

Grice’s Maxims

Question 3

How did Grice see the feature of cooperation within conversation?

Answer 3

A fundamental element

Conversations proceed on the assumption that those partaking have common goals and agreed ways of reaching these

Question 4

How many maxims are there?

Answer 4

4

Question 5

What are the maxims also known as?

Answer 5

Rules or principles

Question 6

What are the maxims?

Answer 6

Maxim of quantity
Maxim of relevance
Maxim of manner
Maxim of quality

Question 7

What is the maxim of quantity?

Answer 7

Contributions should be neither more or less than required
e.g. asking way to post office
reply 1 - it’s not far (too little)
reply 2 - naming 20 shops you’d pass on the way (too much)

Question 8

What is the maxim of relevance?

Answer 8

Speech should be relevant to the ongoing context of the conversation
e.g. someone keeps referring back to a topic already exhausted few minutes previously - has a disruptive effect

Question 9

What is the maxim of manner?

Answer 9

Avoidance of ambiguity and obscurity

e.g. presenting ideas in a confusing sequence such as giving directions to post office

Question 10

What is the maxim of quality?

Answer 10

Being truthful and not saying anything you expect to be false

Question 11

What is is called when the maxims are not abided by?

Answer 11

Flouting the maxims

Question 12

What is it called when the maxims are abided by?

Answer 12

Following the maxims

Question 13

What are remarks people might make when they may be flouting the maxims?

Answer 13

I’ll try not to speak for too long…
This may not be relevant but…
I’m sorry if I’m not explaining this very clearly…

Question 14

What do the remarks made show about how we view the maxims?

Answer 14

Shows awareness and conscious of these maxims and we try to excuse ourselves if we’re in danger of flouting them

Question 15

How are people described that flout the maxims?

Answer 15

In a negative way

Question 16

How may other participants talk to people that flout maxims?

Answer 16

With dissatisfaction “get to the point” or “answer the question”

Question 17

Is it possible to flout the maxims yet still be cooperative?

Answer 17

Yes

e.g. reply to directions to post office “it’s Sunday today”, meaning it’s shut

Question 18

To still be cooperative yet flout the maxims, what needs to be done?

Answer 18

Read between the lines of what someone has said and look at what was implied rather than what was stated

Question 19

What does Grice call information which is presented with an implied meaning?

Answer 19

Implicature

Question 20

Example of implicature:

Answer 20

Teacher says “I hear a lot of talking”

Students understand the implication of what the teacher said - asked to be quieter

Question 21

What is “face”?

Answer 21

The image of ourselves which we present to other people in different situations
e.g. good friend, knowledgable student in different contexts

Question 22

Who and when came up with the term “face”?

Answer 22

Goffman 1955

Question 23

What are the two terms to do with face?

Answer 23

Saving-face

Losing-face

Question 24

What is another aspect of cooperation which involves face?

Answer 24

We accept the face that others present to us

Question 25

What is a face-threatening act?

Answer 25

When we challenge or reject another person’s face

e.g. accusing them of insincerity or mocking them

Question 26

Example of a face-threatening act:

Answer 26

“You don’t know what you’re talking about”

Turning your back on someone when they’re talking to you

Question 27

Is it more common for us to accept a person’s face?

Answer 27

Yes, though we may keep reservations to ourselves and behave as if we accept
This is motivated by self interest as if we respect others’ faces, they will respect our own

Question 28

What term did Goffman use to refer to the behaviour involved with presenting faces?

Answer 28

Face-work

Question 29

What aim does face-work have?

Answer 29

Maintaining status of participants

The status they have within conversation or society

Question 30

Who tends to be more attentive for people’s face needs?

Answer 30

People of a lower status and they show this by using respectful and deferential language
Also women

Question 31

What are some examples of politeness?

Answer 31

Using appropriate form and address
Language appropriate to the relationship of you and the person
Degree of formality which is appropriate
Language use for particular situations (beginning and ending, refusal of invite)
Understanding of turn taking

Question 32

Who developed on Goffman’s ideas and when?

Answer 32

Brown and Levinson 1987

Question 33

What did Brown and Levinson speak of involving face needs?

Answer 33

Positive and negative politness

Question 34

What is positive politeness?

Answer 34

Showing people they are liked and admired

Question 35

Example of positive politeness:

Answer 35

Manager invites subordinate to “call me Barbara”

Is a gesture of friendship and an attempt to reduce social distance between them

Question 36

What is negative politeness?

Answer 36

When we avoid intruding and take car not to impose presence on other people and their lives

Question 37

What does negative politeness result in?

Answer 37

Indirect, apologetic, respectful language

Question 38

What does positive politeness result in?

Answer 38

Compliments, interest in person’s wellbeing, enjoyment of their company

Question 39

Example of negative politeness:

Answer 39

Use of “excuse me” when asking a stranger for the time

Use of “Sir”, “Mr/Mrs…” when addressing a superior to respect the social distance between you

Question 40

What did Brown and Levinson suggest about where a person comes from and their use of politeness?

Answer 40

Depending on society and culture, different places may emphasise negative or positive politeness
e.g. Britain stresses negative politness

Question 41

What is the politeness principle?

Answer 41

A specification made up of 3 rules that compose politness

Question 42

Who came up with the politeness principle and when?

Answer 42

Lakoff 1973

Question 43

What are the three rules for the politeness principle?

Answer 43

Don’t impose
Give options
Make your receiver feel good

Question 44

What does the rule “don’t impose” illustrate?

Answer 44

Similar to the concept of negative politeness
Use of expressions such as:
“I’m sorry to bother you”
“Would you mind”

Question 45

What does the rule “give options” demonstrate?

Answer 45

Avoid forcing people into a corner
Use of expressions such as:
“It’s entirely up to you”
“Do you want to go first?”

Question 46

What does the rule “make your receiver feel good” illustrate?

Answer 46

Saying things to flatter others and show they’re appreciated
Use of expressions such as:
“I really appreciate your advice on this”
“I couldn’t have done it without you”