Презентация "Politeness"

Politeness

And

Englishness

Concepts of Politeness

Politeness...

“ … is one of the constraints of human interaction, whose purpose is to consider other`s feelings, establish levels of mutual comfort, and promote rapport.” Hill et al. (1986: 282)

“ … what we think is appropriate behaviour in particular situations in an attempt to achieve and maintain successful social relationships with others.“ (Lakoff 1972: 910)

Concept of "face"

"face" - public self-image that every member of society wants to claim for itself

negative face refers to the want of every competent adult member that his actions be unimpeded by others

positive face refers to the want of every member that his wants be desirable to at least some others

Face-Threatening-Activity

FTAs

= those acts that by their nature run contrary to the face wants of the addressee and/or of the speaker’s

The negative face is threatened by...

… acts that appear to impede the addressee´s independence of movement and freedom of action

The positive face is threatened by…

… acts which appear as disapproving of their wants

What would you say if you saw a cup of pens on your teacher's desk, and you wanted to use one:

a) "Ooh, I want to use one of those!"

b) "So, is it O.K. if I use one of those pens?"

c) "I'm sorry to bother you but, I just wanted to ask you if I could use one of those pens?“

d) "Hmm, I sure could use a blue pen right now.“

Key:

a) Bald On-Record strategy

b) Positive politeness

c) Negative politeness

d) Off-Record indirect strategy

Being English

Kate Fox

“ Watching the English”

REFLEXES

Humour

Moderation

Hypocrisy

SOCIAL

DIS-EASE

VALUES

OUTLOOKS

Fair play

Empiricism

Eeyorishness

Courtesy

Modesty

Class-consciousness

VALUES: How to Be Polite

Politeness strategies

Question

Function

1. Why don’t you speak to him directly?

a. Request

2. Why don’t you come up and have lunch with us?

b. Order

3. You don’t seem to know his home address, do you?

c. Criticism

4. Won’t it be better for us to leave at once?

d. Inquiry

5. Do you think you could spare me a few minutes?

6. Would you like some coffee?

e. Invitation

f. Suggestion

7. Isn’t a room a bit overcrowded?

g. Advice

8. Could I see your tickets?

h. Introduction

9. Do you mind if I asked my friend to go with us?

i. Offer

10. You haven’t met Bob, have you?

j. Asking permission

1g; 2e; 3d; 4f; 5a; 6i; 7c; 8b; 9j; 10h

Some further examples

• A lady to a man, who blocked her drive to the house:

“ I don’t suppose you could possibly move your car forward a little, could you?”

• A telephone operator:

“” I’m sorry, but the number you have dialed has not been recognized. Please, try again.”

• At the cash desk:

“ May be it is better to use another till. I’m afraid there are some problems with this one.”

Small Talk

• Путешествия
• Погода
• Политика
• Хобби
• Искусство, литература
• Работа
• Деньги, доходы, заработная плата
• Происхождение
• Возраст
• Здоровье
• Религия, вероисповедание
• Расовые отношения
• Домашние питомцы
• Актуальные темы (новости, кроме политики)

VALUES: Fair Play

VALUES: Modesty

• “ Stop showing off”
• “ Don’t boast”
• “ I do a bit of sport”

(I’ve just won an Olympic medal”)

• “ Well, I suppose I know a bit about it”

(I’m the acknowledged world expert on it”)

• “ Not as hard as it looks / Just lucky”

REFLEXES: Moderation and Hypocrisy

REFLEXES: Humour

1. - Will you love me when I'm old and ugly?

- Of course I do.

2. - Did you notice how my voice filled the hall?

- And did you notice how the audience left to make room for it?

3. - Don't you think our son got his intelligence from me?

- I've still got mine.

OUTLOOKS: Eeyorishness

Fatalism and pessimism key phrases:

• “ Typical!”
• “ The country is going to the dogs”
• “ What did you expect?”
• “ There is always some thing”
• “ Never mind”
• “ Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed”

By the Way of Conclusion

Выражение

Англоязычное коммуникативное поведение

Русскоязычное коммуникативное поведение

Побуждение

Позитивная оценка

Негативная оценка

Неоднозначность

Прямолинейность

Преуменьшение

Преувеличение

Смягчение, преуменьшение

Категоричность