ABSTRACT
Unit A4 looks at politeness, which in the field of pragmatics refers to the linguistic expressions and conventions involved in communicating while showing sensitivity towards one’s interlocutor and enabling the development and maintenance of relationships. The unit looks at the concept of face, which refers to people’s self-image or sense of self, and how politeness enables face to be protected. Positive politeness, which involves paying attention to others’ need to feel accepted and liked, is contrasted with negative politeness, the need to not be imposed on by others. This is followed by a section describing impoliteness, which involves an attack on face or loss of face. Other key elements of impoliteness are presented: intentionality, in aiming to create confrontation; the violation of social norms; and the negative effect on emotion. The final section of the unit takes a closer look at context and the role that culture plays in relation to both politeness and impoliteness. The unit illustrates the theories by providing authentic examples from a variety of languages and types of media. Section B4 provides an example analysis, section C4 gives you the chance to analyse authentic texts, and section D4 introduces a reading by Jonathan Culpeper.
