Politeness Strategies

Summary

This video explains the concept of politeness strategies used in communication to balance social dynamics. The four strategies—off-record, negative politeness, positive politeness, and on-record baldly—range from the most indirect (and polite) to the most direct (and less polite). Examples highlight how these strategies manifest in everyday requests, from hinting at a need to giving blunt commands. Understanding these strategies helps in navigating social interactions and maintaining respect in conversations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Politeness strategies are used to balance and protect both positive and negative faces in social interactions.
• 😀 There are four main politeness strategies: off-record, negative politeness, positive politeness, and on-record baldly.
• 😀 Off-record is the least direct and most polite strategy, leaving the request implied for the listener to infer.
• 😀 Negative politeness is indirect but polite, using modals and hedging to minimize imposition (e.g., 'Could I please...').
• 😀 Positive politeness involves being direct but softening the request with terms of endearment or urgency (e.g., 'Sue dear, I need...').
• 😀 On-record baldly is the most direct and least polite strategy, explicitly stating the request without any softeners (e.g., 'Get the vacuum cleaner').
• 😀 The less direct the communication, the more polite it seems; the more direct, the less polite it appears.
• 😀 The off-record strategy is identified by indirect hints or statements that imply a need without stating it explicitly.
• 😀 Negative politeness is marked by polite phrasing, using modal verbs like 'could', 'please', and minimizing imposition with phrases like 'for just an hour'.
• 😀 Positive politeness is characterized by the use of nicknames, terms of endearment, and urgent time expressions to make requests sound more personal and polite.
• 😀 The on-record baldly strategy is direct, using imperatives and straightforward statements with no attempt to soften the request.

Q & A

What are politeness strategies, and why are they important?

Politeness strategies are communication techniques used to maintain a balance between protecting the positive and negative faces of people in social interactions. They help individuals navigate social situations in a way that respects the desires and expectations of others, promoting harmony and avoiding conflicts.

What are the four types of politeness strategies discussed in the video?

The four types of politeness strategies are: 1) Off Record (most polite and least direct), 2) Negative Politeness (polite but more direct), 3) Positive Politeness (direct but with polite markers), and 4) On Record Baldly (least polite and most direct).

How does the level of directness relate to politeness in communication?

The less direct a communication strategy is, the more polite it is perceived to be. On the other hand, the more blunt and direct the communication, the less polite it appears.

Can you explain the Off Record strategy with an example?

The Off Record strategy is the most indirect and polite. An example would be: 'Our vacuum cleaner just broke down. The floors are very dusty.' This statement does not directly ask for a favor, but the hearer is left to infer the need (to borrow a vacuum cleaner).

What are the key features of Negative Politeness?

Negative Politeness involves making requests more polite by minimizing imposition. It includes the use of polite forms like 'could,' 'please,' and hedging phrases like 'just an hour.' An example is: 'Could I please borrow your vacuum cleaner for just an hour?'

How does Positive Politeness differ from Negative Politeness?

Positive Politeness is more direct than Negative Politeness but uses terms of familiarity or affection to soften the directness. It seeks to strengthen social bonds. An example would be: 'Sue, dear, I need to borrow the vacuum cleaner right away,' which uses a term of endearment ('dear') and a familiar name ('Sue').

What is the most direct and least polite politeness strategy?

The most direct and least polite strategy is the On Record Baldly approach. It involves straightforward and blunt communication without any politeness markers, such as the command 'Get the vacuum cleaner.'

What is meant by the 'positive face' and 'negative face' in politeness theory?

In politeness theory, 'positive face' refers to the desire to be liked and accepted by others, while 'negative face' refers to the desire to be free from imposition or intrusion. Politeness strategies aim to protect both these faces in social interactions.

How do politeness strategies help in social interactions?

Politeness strategies help maintain social harmony by allowing individuals to make requests or express needs without offending or putting others in an uncomfortable position. By using appropriate strategies, people ensure that their communication is respectful and socially acceptable.

Can you summarize the key takeaway from the video on politeness strategies?

The key takeaway is that politeness strategies are essential tools in managing social interactions. The more indirect the strategy, the more polite it is perceived to be. These strategies range from the highly polite 'Off Record' approach to the direct and blunt 'On Record Baldly' strategy. Understanding these strategies helps individuals navigate conversations effectively and respectfully.