English Language Conversation Theories

Grice's co-operative principle

• Quality

     Only say what you know to be the truth and that which you have evidence for

• Quantity

     Provide enough information but not too much

• Manner

     Be straightforward and easy to understand

• Relevance

     Be relevant to the conversation

Goffman: Face

Positive face is the desire worthy and deserving of approval

Negative face is the desire to be independent

During a converstion it is in the interest of all speakers to 'maintain face' and to respect each other

An FTA is a Face Threatening Act, and it can challenge, weaken and even make a person loose their positive or negative face

Positive face is threatened by showing disapproval, disagreeing, accusations and interruptions

Negative face is…