Face threatening acts

Question 1

What are the two sides of the face?

Answer 1

• Positive face: The desire to be liked or approved.
• Negative face: The desire to be left alone and go about your business.

Question 2

What can threaten a hearer’s negative face?

Answer 2

• Order and requests
• Reminders
• Suggestions and advice
• Threats, warnings and dares
• Compliments
• Anything that makes the hearer respond

Question 3

What can threaten a hearer’s positive face?

Answer 3

• Critisism
• Ridicule
• Contadictions
• Disagreements
• Taboo topics
• Blatant non-cooporation
• Mistake in the form of address

Question 4

What can threaten a Speaker negative face?

Answer 4

• Having to express/accept thanks.
• Having to make excuses.
• Having to accept/ reject an offer.

Question 5

What can threaten a speaker’s positive face?

Answer 5

• Apologizes
• Accepting a compliment
• Breakdown of bodily control (fart, vomit etc.)
• Self humiliation
• Emotional leakage (inappropriate laughter, tears)