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  • Politeness Theory Notes ECE-C DR TS Revised

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    srinija somavarapu
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    Politeness theory proposes that people have a social self-image or "face" that they try to protect in interactions. It was introduced in 1978 by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson to explain polite linguistic behavior. The theory is based on the idea that in order to maintain social harmony, speakers and listeners will make efforts to respect each other's public self-image or "face" through their language choices. There are two types of face - positive face, which is the desire to be appreciated, and negative face, which is the desire for independence and freedom from imposition. Politeness strategies like positive and negative politeness help maintain face in interactions that could threaten it.

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    politeness theory is used to have a good coversation between perople

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    1. Politeness theory notes ECE-C Dr TS Revised

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    Politeness theory proposes that people have a social self-image or "face" that they try to protect in interactions. It was introduced in 1978 by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson to explain polite linguistic behavior. The theory is based on the idea that in order to maintain social harmony, speakers and listeners will make efforts to respect each other's public self-image or "face" through their language choices. There are two types of face - positive face, which is the desire to be appreciated, and negative face, which is the desire for independence and freedom from imposition. Politeness strategies like positive and negative politeness help maintain face in interactions that could threaten it.

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    8 views13 pages

    Politeness Theory Notes ECE-C DR TS Revised

    Uploaded by

    srinija somavarapu
    Politeness theory proposes that people have a social self-image or "face" that they try to protect in interactions. It was introduced in 1978 by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson to explain polite linguistic behavior. The theory is based on the idea that in order to maintain social harmony, speakers and listeners will make efforts to respect each other's public self-image or "face" through their language choices. There are two types of face - positive face, which is the desire to be appreciated, and negative face, which is the desire for independence and freedom from imposition. Politeness strategies like positive and negative politeness help maintain face in interactions that could threaten it.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 13

    Politeness theory

    Prepared by Dr. T. Sunand


    Emmanuel

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    Politeness theory
    • Politeness theory is based on the concept that
    people have a social self-image that they
    consciously project and try to protect.
    • Face is a person’s feeling of self-worth and
    self-image.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    Politeness theory

    • In order to live a good social life, polite


    behaviour is important. You should not hurt or
    offend others with rude words but be gentle
    and polite by all means. We need to
    understand other's feelings and show
    empathy.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    • We should be courteous to others.
    • Politeness is defined as behaving in a socially
    acceptable way with proper manners and
    etiquette.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    • Politeness theory was introduced by Penelope
    Brown and Stephen Levinson in 1978.
    • It is based on the idea of politeness.
    • Speakers and listeners make efforts to
    enhance each other’s self-esteem.
    • The speaker and listener must take care to
    protect each other’s identity and image.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    • The purpose of politeness is to avoid conflicts.
    Politeness theory works on the assumption that
    we have two different types of face: Positive
    face and Negative face.
    • 1. Positive face—It refers to an individual's
    need for his or her wishes and desires to be
    appreciated in a social context. It is a desire for
    approval from others. It is the wish of everyone
    to be appreciated, admired, respected.
    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL
    • 2. Negative face—It refers to the need for
    freedom of action, freedom from imposition,
    and the right to make one's own decisions. It
    is the wish to be independent. It is freedom of
    action and freedom from imposition.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    • Politeness assumes that we all have face, and
    we all have face wants and needs. We all
    have a desire to be loved, admired, respected,
    appreciated. Nobody wants to be humiliated,
    disrespected, or insulted by another person.
    We must be clear in what we say or ask, but
    we must respect the other person’s self-
    respect, image, self-esteem, and self-worth.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    Face Threatening Acts (FTAs)
    • Face Threatening Acts (FTA): It is an act that
    damages another person’s face by acting in
    opposition to the wants and desires of the
    other.
    • Ex: Confessions, apologies, orders, warnings,
    requests, offers, promises, etc.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    To achieve this face, we use 5 politeness strategies:

    1. Positive Politeness strategy—We express


    friendliness, respect, respectful expressions, safe
    topics, minimise disagreement, and find common
    ground.
    • You have been such a wonderful friend. Could you
    please help me with this project?
    2. Negative Politeness strategy—It includes being
    indirect, hesitating, asking for forgiveness.
    • Eg: I am really sorry to trouble you. Could you switch
    on the fan please?
    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL
    3. Off-Record strategy--- It includes being
    ambiguous, vague, sarcastic, joking. We avoid
    giving our opinion straightforward.
    • Eg:
    • It’s cold in here. (here, the speaker is hinting
    the hearer indirectly to switch off the fan!)
    • I am so thirsty.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    4. Bald On Record strategy-- It is a direct way to
    say things. The speaker is straightforward.
    • Eg: Help! Get the photocopies for me.
    • Run, there is a fire in the auditorium.
    • Finish the work by tomorrow.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL


    5. Avoidance strategy—The speaker avoids
    saying anything.

    Dr. T. SUNAND EMMANUEL

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