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  • Essay / Using Politeness Theory in Daily Life

    Did your parents ever teach you to be polite and respect others? There is a theory of communication called politeness theory, which is commonly used between humans. It involves preserving the two faces of the speakers and listeners using specific techniques. I'll start by looking at the theory. It will follow some examples of effective communication and interpersonal relationships. The definition of politeness is respectful and considerate behavior towards others. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The theory of politeness has two sides: a positive side and a negative side. The meaning of "face" comes from Eastern culture which concerns the public image of self that a person has claimed. This theory is used to minimize facial threats. Positive face is about a person's wish and hope to be liked in society. Recipients may need to show respect to providers. This action can prolong an affirmative and unchanging self-image. For example, a boy bought new clothes and wore them to school. He wanted his friend to like his new clothes. The boy's thinking can be said to be a positive face. In this situation, positive politeness strategies can be used to reduce damage to the recipient's positive face. Therefore, if you are a friend of the boy, you can say “Brother, your shirt is cool!” » to make his wish come true and it is a positive politeness. This is an example using strategies that suit the friend's interests and identify as a common ingroup model. The boy should keep smiling and speak in a friendly tone, and his friend should also nod his head to show support. On the other hand, if you say his clothes are ugly or don't respond, it means you don't care about the boy's feelings. This act is a positive threatening act and can harm the friendship. As politeness theory is used, it can increase the chances of having a better friendship as long as you respect and think the same way as your friend. Therefore, they will not feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or insulted by you. As the theory of positive politeness is used, discrimination will no longer appear due to human respect for others, which can lower the barrier between age, skin color, gender. This is a good way to maintain effective communication rather than unreasonable disrespect. Politeness theory can help people have better relationships with their friends. Second, negative politeness theory is also important for maintaining effective communication with your friends. It is about the independence of their action rather than control by others. The provider can give choices to recipients to give them freedom of action, so they can feel respected by others. For example, if you ask a colleague to borrow their pen, you should say, “Sorry to bother you. I wonder if you would mind lending me your pen? rather than “Hey, lend me your pen.” In the first sentence, negative politeness strategies such as apologetic words and indirect words were used to show your respect to the listener. Therefore, the auditor can comfortably reject your request according to his own choice. The speaker will not lose face if the listener rejects. It is easier for the listener and speaker to have lasting communication because the speaker respects.