Introduction

The introduction discusses the phenomenon of linguistic mitigation (i.e., attenuation). It describes how expressions are modified to make them more pleasing or acceptable to others, how uncertainty and indirectness are conveyed, and how speakers and writers modify expressions to decrease the force of a message. The introduction explains that speakers and writers take into account their personal goals, the addressee, the situation, context, and stylistic choices they have in their linguistic repertoire when attenuating. Thus, linguistic mitigation conveys, to a certain extent, caution on behalf of the emissary of a message. Said differently, the introduction explains how mitigation is considered a socio-pragmatic and affective concern, not only a linguistic one, and when speakers or writers attenuate, they are taking into account the effect the message has on its hearer.