In every culture, the individuals behave according to some cultural norms of the society. However, when it comes to politeness and impoliteness, those notions are dictated by the culture and language, but also personal feelings of an individual. The aim of this paper is to establish the differences between the forms of politeness and impoliteness between the Western and Eastern European culture. The representatives of Poland and United Kingdom tend to different linguistic and behavioral choices, when in particular circumstances. Speakers from Great Britain and Poland have been interviewed, in order to establish whether their idea of politeness and impoliteness is culture-based or depends rather on the individual himself. Moreover, the behavioral and linguistic pattern of the individuals was evaluated to find out, whether there are certain guidelines of politeness in the given culture.
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. General theory of politeness
4. Politeness in the United Kingdom
5. Politeness in Poland
6. General theory of impoliteness
7. Empirical research: Interviews of English and Polish speakers
8. Summary
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to examine and compare the cultural differences in the perception and expression of politeness and impoliteness between Polish and English speakers, while investigating whether these behaviors are rooted in cultural norms or individual disposition.
- The linguistic and cultural definitions of politeness and impoliteness.
- Comparative analysis of politeness norms in the United Kingdom and Poland.
- Theoretical frameworks of politeness and impoliteness, including the work of Leech, Brown, and Levinson.
- Empirical evaluation of behavioral patterns through qualitative interviews.
- The influence of social background and upbringing on communicative choices.
Excerpt from the Book
3. General theory of politeness
“Writing an introduction to politeness is like being in mortal combat with a manyheaded hydra. You’ve barely severed one head when a few more grow in its place” (Watts 2003: XI). This quotation from Watt’s book ‘Politeness’ introduces the attempt to define this widely understood term. Hence it is very difficult to create a general definition, as a there are many different theories written on that matter.
Politeness from a common point of view can be defined as a norm, knowledge of etiquette or simply a sign of good upbringing. The linguistic theory of politeness bases on the ‘face-saving’ maxim by Brown and Levinson (1987: 61-2), which says that a person does not particularly use the language to be polite or impolite, but rather in order to create and maintain a positive public self-image. This theory serves as a basis for the further research in that field. Interestingly, Leech (2014: 81) observes that the commonly known model by Brown and Levinson “has a Western, if not anglophone, bias and therefore cannot claim to present a universal theory applicable to all languages and cultures”. In his opinion the model of the positive and negative face can only be applied to Anglo-Wester individuals. The ‘negative face’ is nothing more than the declaration of space and freedom by an individual, whereas the ‘positive face’ is the desire to maintain a good self-image in the presence of others (Brown and Levinson 1987: 61). Leech’s theory will be evaluated in the next chapters.
Summary of Chapters
1. Abstract: Provides an overview of the cultural comparative study focusing on politeness perceptions in Poland and the UK.
2. Introduction: Outlines the significance of cultural background and communication in shaping individual perceptions of polite and impolite behavior.
3. General theory of politeness: Explores fundamental academic theories, including face-saving maxims and Leech's eight characteristics of politeness.
4. Politeness in the United Kingdom: Analyzes the diverse linguistic approaches to politeness among different British communities and the role of honorifics.
5. Politeness in Poland: Examines historical influences on Polish politeness and the complex grammatical usage of honorific pronouns.
6. General theory of impoliteness: Investigates the academic definitions of impoliteness, including superstrategies of face-attack and the role of rudeness.
7. Empirical research: Interviews of English and Polish speakers: Details the qualitative study conducted with four participants, presenting their situational responses and views.
8. Summary: Synthesizes the interview findings and concludes that politeness is a blend of cultural norms, social upbringing, and individual psychology.
Keywords
Politeness, Impoliteness, Cross-cultural communication, Linguistics, Face-saving theory, Social norms, Honorifics, Pragmatics, Behavioral patterns, Cultural background, Empirical research, Etiquette, Verbal aggression, Interpersonal relationships, Communication strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core concern of this research paper?
The paper investigates the differences in the perception and application of politeness and impoliteness between Polish and British cultures, focusing on how these concepts are influenced by cultural conditioning versus individual choice.
Which thematic fields are central to the study?
The study centers on linguistics, sociolinguistics, cultural studies, and pragmatics, particularly focusing on how different societies define acceptable social behavior.
What is the primary research goal?
The main goal is to determine if ideas of politeness are universal or culture-bound, and to identify specific behavioral guidelines in Polish and English-speaking contexts.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The author uses a qualitative empirical method, conducting semi-structured interviews with four individuals from Poland and the UK to analyze their responses to various social situations.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers theoretical definitions of politeness and impoliteness, country-specific linguistic practices in the UK and Poland, and the analysis of interview data regarding social scenarios like gift-giving, cancellations, and public etiquette.
Which keywords categorize this study?
Key terms include Politeness, Impoliteness, Cross-cultural communication, Face-saving theory, and Pragmatics.
How does the author define the distinction between politeness and rudeness?
The author distinguishes between them by referencing expert theories, where politeness often serves to maintain positive faces, whereas rudeness is characterized as inherently aggressive or offensive use of language.
What insight does the study offer into Polish versus British politeness?
The study highlights that Polish politeness is often tied to formal honorifics and collective social roles, while British politeness often centers on maintaining a pleasant tone and avoiding direct conflict.
How do the interviewees perceive the concept of a 'negative face'?
Interviewees and the literature referenced suggest that the 'negative face' can be seen either as a basic need for independence or as a potential site of conflict, illustrating the difficulty in applying universal theories globally.
- Citation du texte
- Anonym (Auteur), 2018, Differences between politeness and impoliteness based on the example of Polish and English speakers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1278192
