Politeness theory

Question 1

Brown & Levinson

Answer 1

face can be categorised as either positive face or negative face

Question 2

Positive face

Answer 2

is an individual’s need to feel valued, liked and appreciated.

Question 3

Negative face

Answer 3

represents an individual’s need to not feel imposed on or have their freedom of action threatened.

Question 4

Power & politeness

Answer 4

suggesting that the greater the distance of power between speaker and hearer, the greater the likelihood that the less powerful participant will use appropriate politeness strategies in the light of a potentially greater face-threatening act

Question 5

Holmes & Stubbe (2003)

Answer 5

term this ‘doing power’ to recognise the ways in which power is demonstrated by superiors as a way of carrying out their occupational role.