Politeness Theory

Does the following sentence have any mitigating devices to reduce the face threat?

“Lend me some money.”

• Yes

• No

Which type of politeness strategy is used in the following sentence? “I wonder if you could lend me your mobile phone.”

• Negative

• Positive

What isn't included in negative politeness strategy?

• Questioning

• Using family terms

• Hedging

• Presenting opinions

What is NOT a mitigating device?

• Would you mind....?

• possibly

• er.....

• should

According to Brown and Levinson, what factors decide the degree of politeness in interaction?

• Ranking, power, and status

• Ranking, distance and power

• Age, status and distance

The speaker can say something to lessen the possible threat. This is called a face threatening act.

• True

• False

In this sentence, is the speaker appealing to positive or negative face? "Raise your hand as fast as you can."

• Positive face

• Negative face

In this sentence, is the speaker appealing to positive or negative face?, "I just want to ask you if I could use your computer?"

• Positive face

• Negative face

What is a face-threatening act?

• Something said to a listener that could cause him/her to be embarrassed or ashamed.

• An action that one can do "in the face" of another.

• Something said that always conveys a threat to one's life and safety.

• A speech act that is never heard in everyday speech.

Typically expressed via questions, even those that seem to ask for permission to ask a question.

• Positive politeness strategy

• Negative politeness strategy

• Face wants

• Positive face