Politeness

by Richard J. Watts

Overview

Using a wide range of data from real-life speech situations, this introduction to politeness theory breaks away from the limitations of current models. It argues that the proper object of study in politeness theory must be "common sense" definitions of politeness and impoliteness. Richard Watts concludes that a more appropriate model, based on Bourdieu's concept of social practice, can thus be developed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521790857
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	09/25/2003
Series:	Key Topics in Sociolinguistics
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.63(w) x 8.86(h) x 1.02(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introducing linguistic politeness; 2. Politeness through time and across cultures; 3. Modelling linguistic politeness I; 4. Modelling linguistic politeness II: Brown and Levinson and their critics; 5. Facework and linguistic politeness; 6. A social model of politeness; 7. Structures of linguistic politeness; 8. Relevance Theory and concepts of power; 9. Politic behaviour and politeness in discourse; 10. Politic behaviour and politeness within a theory of social practice; Glossary of terms; Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

"Politeness is a challenging, insightful, and provocative approach to the study of politeness phenomena...thoughtful and engaging..."
Women and Language

"...the book stands as a useful introduction to the study of linguistic politness, and is notable for its attention to the play of force relations in constituting social interaction."
Canadian Journal of Sociology Online

"...a valuable overview of the literature."
Current Anthropology

From the Publisher