Individual Variation

Question 1

We use phonological, lexical and paralinguistic communication strategies (eg convergence, divergence and self handicapping) to control the gap with our interlocutor. Lower status people are more likely to upwardly converge than higher status people are to downwardly converge

Answer 1

Communication accommodation theory- Howard Giles

Question 2

Face is a sociolingual concept for an individual’s self image (the need to feel free from constraints and the need to feel love, negative and positive face needs respectively). One’s face is always in progress and develops within social interaction.

Answer 2

Face Theory - Erving

Question 3

Politeness is redressive action taken to counterbalance the disruptive effect of FTAs. Face has 2 related aspects:
Negative face - freedom of action and freedom from imposition
Positive face - the desire to be appreciated/approved of
People protect their own face in communication process thus deviating from clear/direct communication

There are 4 main politeness strategies to avoid FTAs:
Bold, on record - to the point
Positive politeness - flattery
Negative politeness - apology
Off record, indirect - hinting

Answer 3

Brown and Levinson - politeness: some universals on language usage

Question 4

Politeness maxims:
tact, generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement, and sympathy

Answer 4

Leech

Question 5

Conversational maxims:
Manner, relevance, quantity, quality

Answer 5

Grice

Question 6

Synthetic personalisation makes it seem like there’s a personal connection between producer and receiver when there isn’t

Answer 6

Norman Fairclough

Question 7

Elaborated and restricted code

Answer 7

Basil Bernstein