Unit 1 & 2 - Concepts, Issues & Theories

Question 1

Question 1
What is Grice’s Cooperative Principle?

Answer 1

A theory by Paul Grice describing how effective communication relies on mutual cooperation between speakers & listeners.

Question 2

Question 2
Why is the Cooperative Principle important?

Answer 2

• Ensures clarity & mutual understanding in conversation.
• Helps achieve effective communication in social interactions.

Question 3

Question 3
What does the Maxim of Quantity state?

Answer 3

Provide an appropriate amount of detail - enough to be informative but not excessive.

Question 4

Question 4
What does the Maxim of Quality emphasize?

Answer 4

Speak the truth - avoid false or misleading statements.

Question 5

Question 5
How does the Maxim of Relevance or Relation guide conversation?

Answer 5

Keep statements relevant & pertinent to the discussion.

Question 6

Question 6
What does the Maxim of Manner require?

Answer 6

Be clear, brief & orderly - avoid ambiguity & vagueness.

Question 7

Question 7
What happens when speakers flout the Maxims?

Answer 7

• Creates implied meaning beyond the literal statement.
• Encourages interpretation based on context & inference.

Question 8

Question 8
What is an example of flouting a maxim?

Answer 8

Sarcasm might flout the Maxim of Quality - saying something untrue for rhetorical effect.

Question 9

Question 9
What does Communication Accommodation Theory suggest?

Answer 9

People adjust their speech, vocal patterns & gestures to accommodate the person they are interacting with.

Question 10

Question 10
What are the two main types of speech adjustment?

Answer 10

• Convergence – Aligning speech & behavior with another person.
• Divergence – Deliberately speaking differently to maintain individuality or distance.

Question 11

Question 11
What is Overt Prestige?

Answer 11

Using language in a way that gains societal respect by following standard forms.

Question 12

Question 12
What is Covert Prestige?

Answer 12

Using language to gain status within a specific group by deviating from standard norms.

Question 13

Question 13
How do speakers adjust their communication to converge?

Answer 13

• Mirror vocabulary, accent, speech rate, grammar & voice tone.
• Match gestures, mannerisms, dress & overall behavior.
• Often influenced by attraction, charisma, credibility & motive

Question 14

Question 14
Why do speakers use convergence?

Answer 14

• Enhances communication effectiveness.
• Encourages confidence & engagement from the other person.
• Maintains positive self-identity & social approval.

Question 15

Question 15
How do speakers adjust their communication to diverge?

Answer 15

• Speak & gesture differently from another person.
• Used to maintain distance or assert differences.
• Can stem from disdain or a desire for uniqueness.

Question 16

Question 16
Why do speakers use divergence?

Answer 16

• Reinforces individual or group identity.
• Accentuates differences between speakers.
• Discourages interaction or deep conversation.

Question 17

Question 17
What is downward convergence?

Answer 17

Adopting the language characteristics of a person with perceived lower social status.

Question 18

Question 18
What is upward convergence?

Answer 18

A speaker of lower status adjusting their language to match that of a higher-status individual.

Question 19

Question 19
What is the Politeness Theory?

Answer 19

Idea that people present a social image - ‘face’ in conversation, which others typically accept as part of cooperative interaction.

Question 20

Question 20
What is a Face Threatening Act - FTA?

Answer 20

Rejecting or challenging someone’s presented ‘face,’ potentially causing embarrassment or discomfort.

Question 21

Question 21
What are the two types of face needs?

Answer 21

• Positive Face Needs – Feeling appreciated & valued.
• Negative Face Needs – Desire for independence & freedom from imposition.

Question 22

Question 22
What is the Bald on Record strategy?

Answer 22

Direct communication with no effort to soften a Face Threatening Act.

Question 23

Question 23
When is the Bald on Record strategy commonly used?

Answer 23

Among close friends or family who are comfortable with blunt interactions.

Question 24

Question 24
What is Negative Politeness?

Answer 24

A strategy that acknowledges imposition & assumes social distance or awkwardness.

Question 25

Question 25 What is Negative Politeness' main function?

Answer 25

To show respect & minimize potential discomfort.

Question 26

Question 26 What is Positive Politeness?

Answer 26

A strategy used to minimize distance by expressing friendliness & respect.

Question 27

Question 27 Where is Positive Politeness most commonly seen?

Answer 27

Among friends or colleagues who have existing social bonds.

Question 28

Question 28 What is the Off-Record Indirect Strategy?

Answer 28

A way of avoiding imposition by making indirect suggestions or hints.

Question 29

Question 29 Why is Off-Record Indirect Strategy approach used?

Answer 29

To allow the listener to interpret the meaning without direct confrontation.

Question 30

Question 30 What is Prestige Theory?

Answer 30

A concept by William Labov that explains how individuals modify their speech to gain social status or recognition.

Question 31

Question 31 What is Overt Prestige?

Answer 31

Seeking prestige by adopting the language of the culturally dominant group.

Question 32

Question 32 What is an example of overt prestige?

Answer 32

Using Received Pronunciation in England to appear more ‘educated’ or ‘upper-class.’

Question 33

Question 33 What is covert prestige?

Answer 33

Seeking prestige by deliberately diverging from the standard to show affiliation with a specific community.

Question 34

Question 34 What is an example of covert prestige?

Answer 34

Using a more local or urban dialect - ‘street cred’ accent - instead of RP to gain respect within a community.

Question 35

Question 35 What is Positive Prestige?

Answer 35

Seeking status by adopting a certain linguistic feature.

Question 36

Question 36 What is Negative Prestige?

Answer 36

Seeking status by avoiding a linguistic feature.