Linguistic Politeness

[vexx]

From the living lingo textbook there is a question
"How important is linguistic politeness in today's society?"
how would i go about writing a mini essay on this, i couldn't find anything on 'linguistic politeness'

thanks:)

[stonecold]

I would probably break it down into positive and negative politeness.

Negative politeness basically avoids intruding by emphasising social distance.
Where the audience is unknown, we should refrain from using language that contains blasphemy, profanity, vulgarity or terms that have the potential to offend or discriminate. 

Avoid taboo areas of discussion, in order to save face and prevent unease or discomfort.  Maintain formality and clarity.
Euphemisms play a significant role in negative politeness.  Declaratives and Interrogatives feature prominently, as they invite the person to consider something rather being commanded into doing it.

e.g.  Would you like to buy ...... ?  vs.   You should buy .....  !

Also possibly allude to negative politeness as a form of doublespeak.  Corporations often use 'pleases' and 'thank you's' when placing us on hold on the phone.  Customer service assistants often utter 'have a nice day' to end a transaction.

Do they really care about making us feel like we're a 'valuable customer,' or is it just a ploy to cover up poor customer service.

Then positive politeness, which is obviously less formal and takes place between interlocutors where there is social intimacy.  Tends to include more slang, diminutives and nicknames (davo for dave etc.)  Can also include dysphemisms.

e.g. some girls when answering the phone: 'hey slut'
      friends are annoying you, you tell them to 'fuck off' as well as maybe flipping them the bird  or poking out your tongue haha

This is just what I know off of the top of my head.  Hope it helps out a little.

Obviously link everything back to the audience, locale and domain.  It must adhere to the PoA.
   

[vexx]

ooooo so much here- thanks !