The notion of face as the public self-image plays a major role in every culture. It shapes the character of a speaker as well as how he or she is perceived by others. Therefore, the cross-cultural analysis of face is a crucial field of study in every social science. In this essay, the importance of face in Politeness Theory will be discussed. It aims to show the development of the concept first defined by Goffman in 1967 to the further analysis by Brown and Levinson in 1978, which is influenced by Grice's Cooperative Principle and Austin's Speech Act Theory, as well as recent criticism and re-evaluation in post-modernism. Furthermore, the two concepts of positive and negative face will be discussed, which then leads to the devision of negative and positive politeness strategies. These negative and positive face-threatening acts (FTAs) are further subdivided into acts which damage the hearer's and acts which damage the speaker's face.
In the next chapter, five strategies for doing face-threatening acts are closely analysed: positive politeness, negative politeness, off-record, bald-on-record and redressive on-record acts. A fifth category – do not do a FTA – is also included in this section as not communicating may also minimise or increase the danger for doing a face-threatening act. In the last chapter of this paper, the development of Politeness Theory and face over the last twenty-five years will be critically discussed and compared to Brown and Levinson's 'traditional' theory.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Politeness Theory and Face
- Face-threatening Acts (FTAs)
- Negative Face-threatening Acts
- Damage to the Hearer's Negative Face Wants
- Damage to the Speaker's Negative Face Wants
- Positive Face-threatening Acts
- Damage to the Hearer's Positive Face Wants
- Damage to the Speaker's Positive Face Wants
- Strategies for Doing and Mitigating Face-threatening Acts
- Weighting the Seriousness of a Face-threatening Act
- Post-modern Politeness Theories
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay explores the significance of "face" within Politeness Theory, tracing its development from Goffman's initial definition to contemporary postmodern critiques. It examines the interplay between positive and negative face, the resulting face-threatening acts (FTAs), and the strategies employed to mitigate them. The essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the theory, highlighting key concepts and their evolution.
- The concept of "face" in politeness theory and its cultural significance.
- The distinction between positive and negative face and their impact on communication.
- Strategies for performing and mitigating face-threatening acts.
- The evolution of politeness theory and its application to different communication contexts.
- Postmodern critiques and re-evaluations of politeness theory.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central theme of the essay: the importance of "face" in Politeness Theory. It briefly outlines the historical development of the concept, highlighting the contributions of Goffman, Brown and Levinson, and the influence of Grice's Cooperative Principle and Austin's Speech Act Theory. It also previews the key concepts that will be discussed, such as positive and negative face, face-threatening acts (FTAs), and politeness strategies, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of these concepts in subsequent chapters.
Politeness Theory and Face: This chapter delves into the core concept of "face" as defined by Goffman and further developed by Brown and Levinson. It explains "face" as a person's public self-image, crucial for understanding social interactions. The chapter meticulously explains the distinction between positive and negative face, highlighting how these two aspects of face influence communication strategies and the potential for face-threatening acts. The discussion lays the foundation for understanding the complexities of politeness and its relationship to social interaction.
Face-threatening Acts (FTAs): This chapter focuses on face-threatening acts (FTAs), which are categorized into those that threaten the hearer's and speaker's positive and negative face. It provides detailed explanations of how different types of speech acts can impact the social image of both the speaker and the hearer, laying the groundwork for understanding the strategies used to mitigate these threats in subsequent chapters. The detailed categorization helps to showcase the nuances of politeness theory and communication dynamics.
Strategies for Doing and Mitigating Face-threatening Acts: This chapter analyzes five key strategies individuals employ to handle FTAs: positive politeness, negative politeness, off-record, bald-on-record, and the strategy of avoiding the FTA altogether. The chapter explores how each strategy balances the need to achieve communicative goals while minimizing potential threats to face, illustrating the complexities of navigating social interactions effectively. Examples of each strategy are likely provided to showcase practical application.
Weighting the Seriousness of a Face-threatening Act: While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, this chapter would presumably explore the factors influencing the perceived severity of FTAs. It would likely examine variables such as social distance, power dynamics, and the cultural context, explaining how these elements impact the choice of politeness strategies used in specific communicative situations. The importance of context and social factors on mitigating FTAs would be central to the chapter's discussion.
Post-modern Politeness Theories: This chapter would discuss critiques and re-evaluations of Brown and Levinson's model within the context of postmodern thought. It likely addresses limitations of the original theory and explore more nuanced approaches to politeness, potentially considering factors such as power dynamics and cultural context in greater depth than previous chapters. This provides a critical perspective on the evolution of politeness theory and its ongoing development.
Keywords
Politeness Theory, Face, Face-threatening Acts (FTAs), Positive Face, Negative Face, Politeness Strategies, Goffman, Brown and Levinson, Postmodern Politeness Theories, Communication, Social Interaction, Pragmatics.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a language essay exploring Politeness Theory. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The essay focuses on the concept of "face" as defined by Goffman and further developed by Brown and Levinson, examining face-threatening acts (FTAs) and strategies for mitigating them. It also considers postmodern critiques of the theory.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The essay's central theme is the concept of "face" within Politeness Theory and its implications for communication. Key themes include: the distinction between positive and negative face; the identification and categorization of face-threatening acts (FTAs); strategies for performing and mitigating FTAs; the cultural significance of "face"; the evolution of politeness theory from Goffman's initial work to contemporary postmodern critiques; and the application of politeness theory to different communication contexts.
What are positive and negative face?
Positive face refers to one's desire to be liked and approved of, while negative face refers to one's desire for autonomy and freedom from imposition. These two aspects of "face" influence communication strategies and the potential for face-threatening acts (FTAs).
What are Face-threatening Acts (FTAs)?
FTAs are acts that threaten either the speaker's or hearer's positive or negative face. Examples might include requests, criticisms, or apologies. The essay categorizes FTAs based on which aspect of face they threaten (positive or negative) and whether they threaten the speaker's or hearer's face.
What strategies are used to mitigate FTAs?
The essay identifies five key strategies for handling FTAs: positive politeness, negative politeness, off-record strategies, bald-on-record strategies, and avoiding the FTA altogether. Each strategy represents a different balance between achieving communicative goals and minimizing potential threats to face.
How does the essay address the seriousness of FTAs?
The essay discusses factors that influence the perceived seriousness of FTAs, such as social distance, power dynamics, and cultural context. These factors impact the choice of politeness strategies used in different communicative situations.
How does the essay incorporate postmodern perspectives?
The essay includes a chapter dedicated to postmodern critiques and re-evaluations of Brown and Levinson's model of Politeness Theory. This section addresses potential limitations of the original theory and explores more nuanced approaches, considering factors like power dynamics and cultural context in greater detail.
What are the key concepts discussed in the essay?
Key concepts include Politeness Theory, "face," Face-threatening Acts (FTAs), positive face, negative face, politeness strategies, the contributions of Goffman and Brown & Levinson, postmodern politeness theories, communication, social interaction, and pragmatics.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured into chapters covering an introduction, politeness theory and face, face-threatening acts, strategies for mitigating FTAs, weighting the seriousness of FTAs, and postmodern politeness theories. Each chapter provides a detailed exploration of the respective topic.
What is the overall aim of the essay?
The essay aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Politeness Theory, highlighting key concepts and their evolution, from its origins to contemporary critiques. It seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how "face" influences communication and social interaction.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Regina Seiwald (Autor:in), 2011, The Importance of Face in "Politeness Theory", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/165502
