1. Sociological analysis of CC misunderstanding
Politeness theory
Face
Positive face and negative face
FTA’s

2. 1. Politeness theory
Face
Face NOT as a physical feature or body part!

3. Or as known and used in facial expressions

4. But face as a social and interactional concept.

5. Face and Face Maintenance
12/7/2018
Face and Face Maintenance
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).

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Face
Negative 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

10. 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

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

12. 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.

13. Diagram proposed by Brown and Levinson