23124819 Positive Negative Politeness

Positive Politeness and Positive Politeness and Negative PolitenessNegative Politeness

Prof: A. ElhalouiProf: A. Elhaloui

The three things we have seen so farThe three things we have seen so far

1.1. A model person:A model person: face + rationalityface + rationality2.2. Some acts are Some acts are FFace-ace-TThreatening hreatening AActscts3.3. Examples of the ways some acts can Examples of the ways some acts can

threaten face (S’s face or H’s face).threaten face (S’s face or H’s face).

Strategies for doing the FTAStrategies for doing the FTA

• In the context of In the context of the mutual vulnerability the mutual vulnerability of faceof face,, any rational agents will seek to any rational agents will seek to avoid avoid thesethese Face Threatening ActsFace Threatening Acts,, or or will employ certain will employ certain strategiesstrategies to minimize to minimize the threat.the threat.

How?How?

Summary of the Four Politeness StrategiesSummary of the Four Politeness Strategies

1.1. DoDo FTA FTA on recordon record (baldly, with no (baldly, with no redressive action)redressive action)

2.2. Do it Do it off recordoff record

3.3. Do it Do it on record with redressiveon record with redressive action action (Positive Politeness)(Positive Politeness)

4.4. Do it Do it on record with redressiveon record with redressive action action (Negative Politeness)(Negative Politeness)

Note ...Note ...Can you pass me the salt?Can you pass me the salt?

Three questions:Three questions:1.1. How do we derive a request from a How do we derive a request from a

question?question?2.2. Why do we have indirectness (a Why do we have indirectness (a questionquestion

instead of a instead of a requestrequest)?)?3.3. Why does the question Why does the question soundsound like a like a

”conventional way of making a request”?”conventional way of making a request”?

Note ...Note ...Can you pass me the salt?Can you pass me the salt?

1.1. We learnt how to derive a request from a We learnt how to derive a request from a question ...question ...

2.2. Now we understand why we have Now we understand why we have indirectness:Indirectness means we are indirectness:Indirectness means we are NOTNOT imposing: a negative politeness imposing: a negative politeness strategy.strategy.

3.3. One question we still need to deal with, One question we still need to deal with, however, is: why does indirectness sound however, is: why does indirectness sound conventional? conventional?

Note ...Note ...

on record requirement negative politeness on record requirement negative politeness

Conventionalized indirectness.Conventionalized indirectness.

Hoe do people assess threat?Hoe do people assess threat?

1.1. Social distanceSocial distance

2.2. Relative powerRelative power

3.3. Absolute rankingAbsolute ranking

Weightiness of threat = S (S,H) + P (H, S) + RWeightiness of threat = S (S,H) + P (H, S) + Rxx






5.5. Don’t do the FTADon’t do the FTA

Low ThreatLow Threat

High ThreatHigh Threat

The four highest level (the most The four highest level (the most general) strategies of politeness are general) strategies of politeness are referred to as:referred to as:

Super-strategiesSuper-strategies

How do pariticipants infer politenes How do pariticipants infer politenes strategies?strategies?






5.5. Don’t do the FTADon’t do the FTA

Su

per-strateg

iesS

up

er-strategies

• Strategies emanating from them are Strategies emanating from them are referred to as referred to as higher-order strategieshigher-order strategies

• ””Output Strategies”Output Strategies” are those that are those that emanate from higher order strategies and emanate from higher order strategies and are are linguistically expressed.linguistically expressed.

How do pariticipants infer politenes How do pariticipants infer politenes strategies?strategies?

Do the FTADo the FTA

Off recordOff record On recordOn record

With redressive actionWith redressive action

Positive Positive PolitenessPoliteness

Negative Negative PolitenessPoliteness

Without redressive actionWithout redressive action

A Graphic Representation of the PSA Graphic Representation of the PS

Super-strategies Super-strategies

higher-order startegies higher-order startegies

output strategiesoutput strategies

Positive Positive PolitenessPoliteness

Higher order strategies of Higher order strategies of positive politenesspositive politeness

1.1. Claim Common Grounds.Claim Common Grounds.

2.2. Assume that S and H are Assume that S and H are Cooperators.Cooperators.

3.3. Fulfill H’s want for some X.Fulfill H’s want for some X.

Claim Common GroundsClaim Common Grounds• Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy

with H)with H)

• Intensify interest to H (e.g., by Switching back Intensify interest to H (e.g., by Switching back and forth between past and present tenses)and forth between past and present tenses)

• Exaggerate factsExaggerate facts

• RepetitionRepetition

• Avoid disagreementAvoid disagreement

• HedgesHedges

Claim Common GroundClaim Common Ground

Notice, attend to H (her Notice, attend to H (her interests, wants, needs, interests, wants, needs,

goods)goods)

You must be hungry, it’s a You must be hungry, it’s a long time since breakfast. long time since breakfast. How about some lunch?How about some lunch?

Claim common grounds: Notice attend to H Claim common grounds: Notice attend to H

What a beautiful vase this is! Where What a beautiful vase this is! Where did it come from?did it come from?


• God! You’re farty tonight!God! You’re farty tonight!

• We ate too many beans tonight, didn’t We ate too many beans tonight, didn’t we?we?



Exaggerate (interest, approval, Exaggerate (interest, approval, sympathy with H)sympathy with H)

What a fanta’stic ga’rden you have!What a fanta’stic ga’rden you have!

Thank you!Thank you!

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: ExaggerateExaggerate

How absolutely marvelous / extraordinary / How absolutely marvelous / extraordinary / devastating / incredibledevastating / incredible

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: ExaggerateExaggerate


Intensify interest to H (e.g., by Intensify interest to H (e.g., by Switching back and forth between Switching back and forth between

past and present tenses)past and present tenses)

Black I like. I used to wear it more Black I like. I used to wear it more that I do now. I very rarely wear it that I do now. I very rarely wear it now. I wore a black jumper, and now. I wore a black jumper, and

when I wear it my mum says “Ah” when I wear it my mum says “Ah” she said. But Len likes it; he thinks it she said. But Len likes it; he thinks it looks ever so nice and quite a few looks ever so nice and quite a few

people do. But when my mum sees it people do. But when my mum sees it she said, “Oh it’s not your color, she said, “Oh it’s not your color, you’re more for pinks and blues” you’re more for pinks and blues”

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Intensify interest Intensify interest to Hto H

• I come down the stairs, and what do you think I come down the stairs, and what do you think I see? – a huge mess all over the place, the I see? – a huge mess all over the place, the phone’s off the hook and the clothes are phone’s off the hook and the clothes are scattered all over...scattered all over...

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Intensify interest Intensify interest to Hto H


In-group identity markersIn-group identity markers

1.1. Here mate, I was keeping that seat for a Here mate, I was keeping that seat for a friend of mine.friend of mine.

2.2. Come here, mate/honey/darlingCome here, mate/honey/darling

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: In-group identity In-group identity markersmarkers


JokeJoke

1.1. Ok if I tackle those cookies?Ok if I tackle those cookies?

2.2. How about lending me this old heap of How about lending me this old heap of junk? (H’s new Cadillac)junk? (H’s new Cadillac)

Claim common grounds: JokeClaim common grounds: Joke


Exaggerate factsExaggerate facts

Dear Jimmy, you always do the Dear Jimmy, you always do the dishes! I’ll do them this time.dishes! I’ll do them this time.

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Exaggerate factsExaggerate facts

I’ll be done in one second (half a sec’ / I’ll be done in one second (half a sec’ / half a mo’)half a mo’)

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Exaggerate factsExaggerate facts


RepetitionRepetition

I had a flat tyre on the way home.I had a flat tyre on the way home.

Oh God! A flat tyre!Oh God! A flat tyre!

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: RepetitionRepetition


Avoid disagreementAvoid disagreement

That’s where I was born.That’s where I was born.

That’s where you live, Florida?That’s where you live, Florida?

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Avoid Avoid disagreementdisagreement

So is this permanent?So is this permanent? Yeah, It’s permanent- Permanent until I get Yeah, It’s permanent- Permanent until I get

married again.married again.

Have you got friends?Have you got friends? I have friends- So-called friends. I had friends. I have friends- So-called friends. I had friends.

Let me put it that way!Let me put it that way!

And they haven’t heard a word, huh?And they haven’t heard a word, huh? Not a word. Not at all. Except Mrs H maybe.Not a word. Not at all. Except Mrs H maybe.

What is she? Small?What is she? Small? Yes, yes, she’s small, smallish,um,not really Yes, yes, she’s small, smallish,um,not really

small but not really very big.small but not really very big.

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: Avoid Avoid disagreementdisagreement


HedgesHedges

1.1. You really sort of botched it.You really sort of botched it.

2.2. You really should sort of try harder.You really should sort of try harder.

3.3. You really are sort of loner, aren’t you?You really are sort of loner, aren’t you?

4.4. That knife sort of chews bread.That knife sort of chews bread.

Claim common grounds: Claim common grounds: hedgeshedges

Assume S and H are Assume S and H are cooperatorscooperators

Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of and concern for H’s wants. and concern for H’s wants.

Look, I know you want the car Look, I know you want the car back at 5:00, so should I go to back at 5:00, so should I go to town now? town now?

Assume S and H are cooperators:Assume S and H are cooperators: Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of and concern for H’s wants. and concern for H’s wants.

1.1. I know you can’t bear parties, but this I know you can’t bear parties, but this one will really be good- do come one will really be good- do come

2.2. I know you love roses but the florist didn’t I know you love roses but the florist didn’t have any more. I brought you geraniums have any more. I brought you geraniums instead (offer, apology).instead (offer, apology).

Assume S and H are cooperators:Assume S and H are cooperators: Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of Assert, presuppose S’s knowledge of and concern for H’s wants. and concern for H’s wants.

You’ll lend me your lawnmower for You’ll lend me your lawnmower for the weekend, I hope.the weekend, I hope.

Assume S and H are cooperators:Assume S and H are cooperators: Be Be optimisticoptimistic

1.1. I’ve come to borrow a cup of flowerI’ve come to borrow a cup of flower

2.2. Look! I’m sure you won’t mind if I remind Look! I’m sure you won’t mind if I remind you to do the dishes tonight.you to do the dishes tonight.

3.3. You don’t have any objections to me You don’t have any objections to me helping myself to a bit of cake, do you?helping myself to a bit of cake, do you?

Assume S and H are cooperators:Assume S and H are cooperators: Be Be optimisticoptimistic

Negative Negative PolitenessPoliteness

Higher order strategies of Higher order strategies of negative politenessnegative politeness

1.1. Don’t presume or assumeDon’t presume or assume

2.2. Don’t coerce.Don’t coerce.

Don’t presume or assumeDon’t presume or assume

Question/hedgeQuestion/hedge

Hedges addressed to Felicity ConditionsHedges addressed to Felicity Conditions

1.1. That’s just how it is, in a sense/in a That’s just how it is, in a sense/in a way/as it were/in all probability/I way/as it were/in all probability/I shouldn’t be surprised/it seems to shouldn’t be surprised/it seems to me/don’t you agree.me/don’t you agree.

2.2. Close the window, if you can/if it closes/if Close the window, if you can/if it closes/if it isn’t already closed/if you want.it isn’t already closed/if you want.

Don’t presume or assume: Don’t presume or assume: Question/hedgeQuestion/hedge

Hedges addressed to Felicity ConditionsHedges addressed to Felicity Conditions

Don’t presume or assumeDon’t presume or assume

Hedges addressed to Cooperativeness Hedges addressed to Cooperativeness (Quality)(Quality)

I think you and I both know what the I think you and I both know what the traffic law has to say about these traffic law has to say about these traffic violations.traffic violations.

Don’t presume or assume: Hedges Don’t presume or assume: Hedges addressed to Cooperativeness (Quality)addressed to Cooperativeness (Quality)

1.1. I think/believe/ think that …I think/believe/ think that …

2.2. As you know/is well known/you and I As you know/is well known/you and I both know …both know …

3.3. As I remember it …As I remember it …

4.4. My best recollection would have been/is My best recollection would have been/is

5.5. … … you might say …you might say …Don’t presume or assume: Hedges Don’t presume or assume: Hedges

addressed to Cooperativeness (Quality)addressed to Cooperativeness (Quality)

Don’t CoerceDon’t Coerce

Be pessimisticBe pessimistic

1.1. I don’t imagine/suppose there is any I don’t imagine/suppose there is any chance/possibility/hope of you …chance/possibility/hope of you …

2.2. Perhaps you’d care to help me/for a lift.Perhaps you’d care to help me/for a lift.

Don’t coerce: Be pessimisticDon’t coerce: Be pessimistic

Don’t CoerceDon’t Coerce

Minimize impositionMinimize imposition

I just want to ask you if I can borrow / I just want to ask you if I can borrow / you could lend me/ a tiny/little/single you could lend me/ a tiny/little/single sheet of paper.sheet of paper.

Okay .. Just a miute/ a secondOkay .. Just a miute/ a second

Don’t coerce: Minimize impositionDon’t coerce: Minimize imposition

Don’t coerceDon’t coerce

ImpersonalizeImpersonalize

1.1.Let’Let’ss have a cookie, then! (i.e. me) have a cookie, then! (i.e. me)2.2.Let’Let’ss get on with dinner, eh? (i.e. you) get on with dinner, eh? (i.e. you)3.3.Let’Let’ss stop for a bite. (I want a bite, so let’s stop) stop for a bite. (I want a bite, so let’s stop)4.4.Give Give usus a break. (i.e. me) a break. (i.e. me)

Don’t coerce: ImpersonalizeDon’t coerce: Impersonalize

1.1. Indefinites- Indefinites- One shouldn’t do things like One shouldn’t do things like that.that.

2.2. Okay, folks/guys, let’s get on with it.Okay, folks/guys, let’s get on with it.

Don’t coerce: ImpersonalizeDon’t coerce: Impersonalize

Don’t coerceDon’t coerce

Don’t coerce: Point of view distancingDon’t coerce: Point of view distancing

1.1. I have been wondering whether you I have been wondering whether you could do me a little favor.could do me a little favor.

2.2. I was a kind of interested in knowing if …I was a kind of interested in knowing if …Don’t coerce: Point of view distancingDon’t coerce: Point of view distancing

23124819 Positive Negative Politeness

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