Conversation Theory Flashcards
Who came up with the cooperative principles and when?
Grice 1975
What are the cooperative principles known as?
Grice’s Maxims
How did Grice see the feature of cooperation within conversation?
A fundamental element
Conversations proceed on the assumption that those partaking have common goals and agreed ways of reaching these
How many maxims are there?
4
What are the maxims also known as?
Rules or principles
What are the maxims?
Maxim of quantity
Maxim of relevance
Maxim of manner
Maxim of quality
What is the maxim of quantity?
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)
What is the maxim of relevance?
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
What is the maxim of manner?
Avoidance of ambiguity and obscurity
e.g. presenting ideas in a confusing sequence such as giving directions to post office
What is the maxim of quality?
Being truthful and not saying anything you expect to be false
What is is called when the maxims are not abided by?
Flouting the maxims
What is it called when the maxims are abided by?
Following the maxims
What are remarks people might make when they may be flouting the maxims?
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…
What do the remarks made show about how we view the maxims?
Shows awareness and conscious of these maxims and we try to excuse ourselves if we’re in danger of flouting them
How are people described that flout the maxims?
In a negative way
How may other participants talk to people that flout maxims?
With dissatisfaction “get to the point” or “answer the question”
Is it possible to flout the maxims yet still be cooperative?
Yes
e.g. reply to directions to post office “it’s Sunday today”, meaning it’s shut
To still be cooperative yet flout the maxims, what needs to be done?
Read between the lines of what someone has said and look at what was implied rather than what was stated
What does Grice call information which is presented with an implied meaning?
Implicature
Example of implicature:
Teacher says “I hear a lot of talking”
Students understand the implication of what the teacher said - asked to be quieter
What is “face”?
The image of ourselves which we present to other people in different situations
e.g. good friend, knowledgable student in different contexts
Who and when came up with the term “face”?
Goffman 1955
What are the two terms to do with face?
Saving-face
Losing-face
What is another aspect of cooperation which involves face?
We accept the face that others present to us
What is a face-threatening act?
When we challenge or reject another person’s face
e.g. accusing them of insincerity or mocking them
Example of a face-threatening act:
“You don’t know what you’re talking about”
Turning your back on someone when they’re talking to you
Is it more common for us to accept a person’s face?
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
What term did Goffman use to refer to the behaviour involved with presenting faces?
Face-work
What aim does face-work have?
Maintaining status of participants
The status they have within conversation or society
Who tends to be more attentive for people’s face needs?
People of a lower status and they show this by using respectful and deferential language
Also women
What are some examples of politeness?
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
Who developed on Goffman’s ideas and when?
Brown and Levinson 1987
What did Brown and Levinson speak of involving face needs?
Positive and negative politness
What is positive politeness?
Showing people they are liked and admired
Example of positive politeness:
Manager invites subordinate to “call me Barbara”
Is a gesture of friendship and an attempt to reduce social distance between them
What is negative politeness?
When we avoid intruding and take car not to impose presence on other people and their lives
What does negative politeness result in?
Indirect, apologetic, respectful language
What does positive politeness result in?
Compliments, interest in person’s wellbeing, enjoyment of their company
Example of negative politeness:
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
What did Brown and Levinson suggest about where a person comes from and their use of politeness?
Depending on society and culture, different places may emphasise negative or positive politeness
e.g. Britain stresses negative politness
What is the politeness principle?
A specification made up of 3 rules that compose politness
Who came up with the politeness principle and when?
Lakoff 1973
What are the three rules for the politeness principle?
Don’t impose
Give options
Make your receiver feel good
What does the rule “don’t impose” illustrate?
Similar to the concept of negative politeness
Use of expressions such as:
“I’m sorry to bother you”
“Would you mind”
What does the rule “give options” demonstrate?
Avoid forcing people into a corner
Use of expressions such as:
“It’s entirely up to you”
“Do you want to go first?”
What does the rule “make your receiver feel good” illustrate?
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”
