Politeness/Face Needs

Question 1

What is positive face

Answer 1

The desire to be seen as competent and liked by others. It reflects an
individual’s need for social recognition, appreciation and inclusion.

Question 2

What are some features of positive politeness

Answer 2

Emphasising similarity

Showing interest through interrogatives (pronoun what, adverb how)

Using humour, creates relaxed atmosphere

Offering compliments to boost self-esteem

Using inclusive pronouns, creates sense of belonging

Question 3

What is negative face

Answer 3

The desire to be free from imposition and constraints on autonomy. It reflects an individual’s need for independence, privacy and freedom to act.

Question 4

What are some features of negative politeness

Answer 4

Hedging to avoid imposing on the listener’s autonomy

Being indirect and ambiguous to allow the listener to infer the meaning, use of euphemisms

Using low modality verbs to make requests in a less imposing manner

Apologising to recognise any possible impositions on the listener