Politeness: An introduction

Summary

This video introduces the concept of politeness in pragmatics, focusing on how language choices reflect respect, solidarity, and face concerns. It explains that 'face' refers to one's public self-image, with face-threatening acts (FTAs) and face-saving acts (FSAs) being key concepts. Positive face is the need to be accepted and liked, while negative face emphasizes the need for independence and freedom. The video illustrates these concepts with examples of polite and impolite ways to address someone, and previews a future discussion on politeness strategies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Politeness in pragmatics refers to linguistic choices that show respect and friendliness, not social rules of behavior.
• 😀 Politeness involves giving people space and considering their emotional and social self-image, also called 'face'.
• 😀 Brown and Levinson's theory emphasizes that all individuals must acknowledge each other's face when entering social relationships.
• 😀 A 'face-threatening act' (FTA) occurs when a speaker's words or actions threaten another's self-image or expectations.
• 😀 A 'face-saving act' (FSA) is a strategy used by a speaker to reduce the threat to another's face, often showing awareness of their needs.
• 😀 In the example of noisy neighbors, an FTA might involve a direct command to stop the noise, while an FSA involves a more polite, indirect request.
• 😀 Positive face refers to the need to be accepted and liked by others, and to feel that one's wants are shared by others.
• 😀 Negative face refers to the need to maintain independence and avoid being imposed upon by others.
• 😀 Positive politeness strategies focus on solidarity, emphasizing shared goals and common desires between speakers.
• 😀 Negative politeness strategies focus on showing respect for the other's time and concerns, often with apologies for impositions.
• 😀 The next video will expand on specific politeness strategies used to maintain positive and negative face in communication.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of politeness in pragmatics?

In pragmatics, politeness refers to the linguistic choices people make in communication that help maintain social harmony, show respect or friendliness, and protect others' 'faces' (self-image). It is not about social behavior rules but about the language used to navigate social relationships.

What do the two examples 'excuse me Mr. Buckingham, can I talk to you for a minute?' and 'hey Bucky, got a minute?' illustrate?

These examples highlight different levels of politeness based on the speaker's relationship with the listener. The first example shows formal politeness, which is characterized by respect and awareness of the other person's face. The second example shows a more informal and friendly approach, with a focus on camaraderie and solidarity.

What is the concept of 'face' in pragmatics?

'Face' refers to a person's public self-image, which includes their emotional and social sense of self. It is the way people want to be perceived and recognized by others, and any threats to this self-image can lead to a need for politeness strategies.

What is a 'face-threatening act' (FTA)?

A face-threatening act (FTA) occurs when a speaker says or does something that could potentially damage another person's self-image or 'face'. This could include direct or confrontational language that challenges the listener's desires or needs.

What is a 'face-saving act' (FSA)?

A face-saving act (FSA) is a linguistic or behavioral strategy used by a speaker to reduce or prevent the damage caused by a face-threatening act. FSAs help maintain social harmony and respect by addressing the listener's face needs.

What are the two types of faces described in the script?

The two types of faces are positive face and negative face. Positive face refers to the desire to be accepted, liked, and recognized as a member of a group, while negative face refers to the need for independence, freedom of action, and to avoid being imposed upon by others.

How does a face-saving act relate to positive face?

A face-saving act that addresses a person's positive face typically emphasizes solidarity, shared goals, and a sense of belonging. It aims to show that both speakers want the same thing and share common interests.

How does a face-saving act relate to negative face?

A face-saving act that addresses a person's negative face tends to show respect for the other's autonomy, acknowledge the imposition, and emphasize the importance of the other's time or concerns. This is usually done through polite language or hedging.

What is the difference between positive politeness and negative politeness?

Positive politeness focuses on showing solidarity and emphasizing shared goals or common interests. It caters to the positive face by fostering a sense of connection. Negative politeness, on the other hand, focuses on showing respect for the other person's need for independence and freedom from imposition. It caters to the negative face by minimizing interference and emphasizing consideration.

Why is it important to acknowledge the face of others in social relationships?

Acknowledging the face of others is crucial in social relationships because it helps maintain respect, prevents conflict, and promotes positive interactions. By considering and protecting others' self-image, people can navigate social situations more effectively and build stronger relationships.