A discursive approach to the analysis of politeness data

Abstract

This paper aims to provide an exemplification of the way that the discursive approach can work in relation to the analysis of data. As such, it argues for the validity of the discursive approach to politeness. Because the discursive approach has been seen as difficult to employ in the analysis of data, in recent years, there has been a proliferation of research returning to Brown and Levinson's approach. Although discursive approaches to politeness have functioned successfully as a critique of Brown and Levinson's work, they are not seen as a means of analyzing politeness and impoliteness in their own right. By tracing the development of the discursive approach to politeness, and by addressing the critiques that there have been, we argue that although the critical role of the discursive approach is paramount to the development of the field, discursive approaches are more than just a critique, and should be seen as constituting an approach to the analysis of politeness as well. As a case in point, we illustrate what a discursive approach consists of through analyzing an intercultural interaction between a group of close friends of Dutch and Italian origin.

Language Politeness in Syair Nasihat as a Representation of Sufi Da’wah Strategies

“…In other words, it is meant to show a friendly attitude to the other person or partner. Thus, the interlocutor will provide similar forms of appreciation and respect [24], [33], [34].…”

Politeness in Making Requests and Responses in Computer-mediated Communication among Chinese College Students

“…Further, discursive approaches to the analysis of politeness find that Brown and Levinson's reliance on Speech Act Theory is problematic, as it involves a model of communication in which the speaker is the center and sentence is the focus, which forces them to presume that elements in a conversation are single-functioned and "are readily agreed upon by participants" (Van der Bom and Mills, 2015).…”

“…According to Van der Bom and Mills (2015), in discursive approaches, the interaction between participants is taken into account; longer stretches of discourse are chosen for analysis, and the perceptions of the individuals involved are emphasized in regard to what they judge as polite and impolite, therefore discursive approaches are considered as a THEORY AND PRACTICE IN LANGUAGE STUDIES more localized and interactive way of analysis and they focus more on the context (Van der Bom and Mills, 2015). With regard to politeness, discursive approaches are more concerned with "ideologies of politeness and impoliteness" (Van der Bom and Mills, 2015). Thus, a discursive approach focuses on judgement and interpretation that are more contextualized and localized and more socially-focused (Van der Bom and Mills, 2015).…”

‘Please’ as an impoliteness marker in English discourse

“…Then, given the role of the speaker and hearer, Culpeper (2005, p. 38) refers to impoliteness as the contexts where "(1) the speaker communicates face-attack intentionally, or (2) the hearer perceives and/or constructs behavior as intentionally face-attacking, or a combination of ( 1) and (2)." Levinson's (1978, 1987) classic work has been the backbone of many studies done on politeness up to now (Eelen, 2001;Van der Bom & Mills, 2015). Most studies regarding Brown and Levinson's work have aligned to an antagonist view (for example, Arundale, 2006;Eelen, 2001;Mullany, 2006;Watts, 2003).…”