Language & Power

Goffman, Brown & Levinson:

Face Theory.

Politeness (& impoliteness) can create influence/persuasion.

Face Saving/Restoration: Allowing yours/another's face to be 'saved'.

Negative Face: Do not want attention. Want to remain out of the limelight.

Positive Face: Want to be included/praised.

Negative Politeness: Respecting the wish of a NF person to remain out of attention.

Positive Politeness: Respecting the wish of a PF person to be praised/included.

Face-Threatening Acts: Risking exposing somebody's 'true' face/removing their public face.

Goffman: Phatic talk satisifes positive face needs.

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