Face Work Flashcards
Give 2 ways you can challenge someone’s face:
- Telling them what to do
2. Showing your disagreement
Why were ‘politeness factors’ introduced?
To ‘save face’ and make others feel good by avoiding rudeness
List a few ‘politeness factors’:
- Words like ‘please’
- Hedges “if it isn’t too much trouble”
- Commands hidden as questions “could you pass me that please?”
- Modal verbs to imply negotiation ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘can’, ‘might’
- Personal pronouns ‘we’, ‘us
What is a positive face?
The desire to be appreciated or to increase self-esteem
What is a negative face?
The desire not to be imposed on
Describe a face threatening act and give an example
When something is said or done that challenges or rejects another person’s face
e.g. turning your back on someone who is speaking to you
What is positive politeness?
Demonstrated when we show people they are liked or admired
What is negative politeness?
When we avoid on intruding on other people’s lives, trying not to pry
Who created the politeness principle?
Lakoff 1973
What are the rules of the politeness principle?
- Don’t impose
- Give options - avoid putting the person in a difficult decision
- Make the receiver feel good - saying thing that flatter them
