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Sociological analysis of CC misunderstanding

Politeness theorya) Faceb) Positive face and negative

facec) FTA’s

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1. Politeness theory

a. FaceFace NOT as a physical feature or body part!

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Or as known and used in facial expressions

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But face as a social and interactional concept.

• Face is defined as “the positive social value a person effectively claims for himself by the line others assume he has taken during a particular contact” (Goffman, 1959).

• Face is “the public self-image that every member want to claim for himself” (Brown & Levinson, 1987).

Face and Face Maintenance

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Face

Positive face“the positive consistent self-image or personality (crucially including the desire that this self-image be appreciated and approved of) claimed by interactants”.

Keywords: Being valued, recognized, considered part of the group

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Threats to positive face (H)• Expressions of approval, criticism, complains,

reprimands, insults, accusations,• Contradictions or disagreements, challenges• Expression of violent emotion• Mention of taboo topics• Bringing bad news about hearer• Raising about dangerously emotional or divisive topics• Blatant non-cooperation in an activity

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Threats to positive face (S)• Apologies• Acceptance of compliment• Breakdown of physical control over body• Self-humiliation• Confessions• Emotion leakage

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FaceNegative face“the basic claim to territories, personal preserves, rights to non-distraction, i.e., to freedom of action and freedom from imposition”

Keywords: Independence, freedom, lack of restrictions

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Threats to negative face (H)• Orders and requests• Suggestions, advice• Remindings• Threats, warnings, dares• Offers• Promises• Compliments, expressions of envy or admiration• Expression of strong emotions toward H

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Threats to negative face (S)• Expressing thanks• Acceptance of H’s thanks or apology• Excuses• Acceptance of offers• Unwilling promises and offers

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Maximizing both faces• When we are engaged in social encounters, we do face

activities unavoidably.

• Participants want both positive face and negative face to be maintained and mitigated.

• We can damage not only our own positive face but negative face also.

• Some acts can damage both positive face and negative face.

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Diagram proposed by Brown and Levinson