Politeness Strategies - a theoretical framework : Sociolinguistic observations of politeness

Abstract: This essay gives a comprehensive theoretical background and then uses observations of how FTAs can be analyzed. The observation, made in a school setting is characterized by an asymmetric relationship between the main participants. The aim is to discuss theories and models of politeness, and how to operationalize them. As theoretical foundation Brown and Levinson´s theory of politeness strategies is used. My conclusions are that theories and models describing politeness can be expressed quantitatively and that there is correlation between my observations and Brown and Levinson´s theory of politeness face threatening acts and the author’s formula to calculate the degree of imposition. My Conclusions from the theoretical background is that the argument of universality for politeness increases with globalisation. There is though a likely development that the multinational class create their own variety of politeness and that the use of this code gives access to power and prestige. At the same time this creates social boundaries and alienation by those excluded from access. A conclusion from my observations is that the social relationship between teacher and student is constant, in the sense that it does not vary depending on the specific question or type of imposition that is currently going on.