language theories

Question 1

Accommodation theory

Answer 1

(Howard Giles)

We adjust our speech to ‘accommodate’ the person we are addressing.

Question 2

Convergence –

Answer 2

howard giles

we move our speech style closer to that of the other person. Can be used to cooperate or to challenge. This can be upward or downward according to status.

Question 3

Divergence –

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Answer 3

howard giles

Divergence – we move our speech style away from the other person.

Question 4

Face Theory

Answer 4

A person’s sense of self-esteem in society. Recognition of another’s face (which Goffman calls “face work”) is crucial is securing co-operation and avoiding conflict in conversation.

Question 5

Politeness Principle

Answer 5

3 maxims:

Don’t impose – shows respectfulness for others / acknowledgement of them (e.g. Excuse me, Sorry to bother you, Please etc)

Give options – requests that give the receiver the opportunity to refuse (e.g. Would you mind getting me a glass of water)

Make your receiver feel good (e.g. You look fantastic, What would I have done without you etc)

Question 6

Negative and Positive Politeness

Answer 6

Negative politeness emphasises the “don’t impose’ notion of Lakoff – often seen as a “British” kind of politeness “I’m sorry, would you mind moving your bag?”

Positive politeness emphasises the “make the receiver feel good” aspect of Lakoff – often seen as a more American kind of politeness “You have such great teeth!”

Question 7

negative and positive politeness

Answer 7

Negative politeness emphasises the “don’t impose’ notion of Lakoff – often seen as a “British” kind of politeness “I’m sorry, would you mind moving your bag?”

Positive politeness emphasises the “make the receiver feel good” aspect of Lakoff – often seen as a more American kind of politeness “You have such great teeth!”

Absence of politeness can cause Face Threatening Acts (FTAs)

Interesting to see politeness and FTA together sometimes: “You have such great teeth, but I’d rather not see them when you’re eating.”

Question 8

The Cooperative Principle

Answer 8

These must be followed if a conversation is to proceed effectively.

4 maxims:

The maxim of quantity – don’t say too much or too little

The maxim of relevance – what you say should be relevant to the conversation

The maxim of manner – what you say should be clear and avoid ambiguity

The maxim of quality – what you say should be true

NB – ONLY DISCUSS THESE IF THEY ARE BROKEN or “FLOUTED” - i.e. if a conversation is going wrong (argument, misunderstanding etc)

Question 9

language codes

Answer 9

Restricted code – language use which assumes shared knowledge and understanding

Elaborated code – more explicit and thorough, no “reading between the lines” needed.

Question 10

language codes

Answer 10

Restricted code – language use which assumes shared knowledge and understanding

Elaborated code – more explicit and thorough, no “reading between the lines” needed.