Modern Approaches to Politeness Theory. A Cultural Context.
Modern Approaches to Politeness Theory. A Cultural Context.

Summary/Abstract: The paper aims at bringing into discussion some important current aspects connected to the study of politeness in a cultural context. Politeness is being researched from a variety of perspectives: pragmatics, sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, interactionist linguistics, anthropology, developmental psychology, organizational management, etc. There are various approaches to the study of politeness theory and even more numerous interpretations as to how these approaches could be turned into practical applications used when communicating with others. Politeness is inherent to good communicators. It is a survival mechanism and it therefore represents an indispensable lining of language use. Politeness also represents a fundamental element in interpersonal communication in all cultures as its profound nuances, deep symbolic meanings and complicated strategies -provided that they are applied according to context and interactants face wants- add value to our cultural background differentiating individuals through unique representation in particular situations while at the same time acknowledging the common core system of values they belong to. The paper thus rests on important new developments within the study of politeness drawing on the most representative studies to date on politeness theory and its relevance in a cultural context. The main purpose of this paper is to consider some current issues in the study of linguistic politeness and its relation to the notions of face and facework. politeness theory, face, politeness strategy, culture, interactants, impoliteness, face wants, positive politeness, negative politeness.

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