Robin Lakoff's politeness theory is based on the idea that politeness is a way of respecting the "face" of others. Face is defined as the public self-image that people have of themselves and that they want others to have of them. Lakoff argues that politeness is a way of showing that we are aware of and respect the other person's face.
Lakoff's politeness theory is based on two main rules:
- The Politeness Principle: Be clear and be polite.
- The Face-Threatening Acts (FTAs) Maxim: Avoid face-threatening acts.
FTAs are speech acts that can potentially damage the face of the hearer. For example, making a request, giving an order, or criticizing someone can all be FTAs.
Lakoff argues that politeness is a way of redressing the face-threatening potential of FTAs. There are a number of ways to redress FTAs, including:
- Positive politeness: This involves making the hearer feel good about themselves. For example, you could compliment the hearer, express gratitude, or show agreement.
- Negative politeness: This involves minimizing the imposition on the hearer. For example, you could use hedges, apologies, or indirectness.
- Off-record politeness: This involves hinting at what you want without directly stating it. For example, you could make a suggestion or ask a question.
Lakoff's politeness theory has been influential in the study of politeness. It has been used to explain a wide range of politeness phenomena, such as the use of hedges, apologies, and indirectness.
In addition to the Politeness Principle and the FTAs Maxim, Lakoff also proposed three general maxims of politeness:
- Don't impose.
- Give options.
- Make the receiver feel good.
These maxims are based on the idea that politeness is a way of avoiding conflict and maintaining good relationships. By following these maxims, speakers can show that they are aware of and respect the other person's face.
Lakoff's politeness theory is a valuable tool for understanding the role of politeness in communication. It provides a framework for analyzing how speakers use language to maintain good relationships and avoid conflict.
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