Politeness in Language : Studies in its History, Theory and Practice

Richard J. Watts

ISBN 10: 3110131846 / ISBN 13: 9783110131840

Published by De Gruyter Mouton, 1992

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - This collection of 13 original papers focuses on the phenomenon of politeness in language. It presents the most important problems in developing a theory of linguistic politeness, which must deal with the crucial differences between lay notions of politeness in different cultures and the term 'politeness' as a concept within a theory of linguistic politeness. The universal validity of the term itself is called into question, as are models such as those developed by Brown and Levinson, Lakoff, and Leech. New approaches are suggested. In addition to this theoretical discussion, an empirical section presents a number of case studies and research projects in linguistic politeness. These show what has been achieved within current models and what still remains to be done, in particular with reference to cross-cultural studies in politeness and differences between a Western and a non-Western approach to the subject.

Seller Inventory # 9783110131840

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Politeness in Language : Studies in its History, Theory and Practice
• Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3110131846
• ISBN 13: 9783110131840
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 236W x 160H x 27D millimeters 236 millimeters width by 160 millimeters height by 27 millimeters depth
• Weight: 736 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This collection of 13 original papers focuses on the phenomenon of politeness in language. It presents the most important problems in developing a theory of linguistic politeness, which must deal with the crucial differences between lay notions of politeness in different cultures and the term ‘politeness’ as a concept within a theory of linguistic politeness. The universal validity of the term itself is called into question, as are models such as those developed by Brown and Levinson, Lakoff, and Leech. New approaches are suggested. In addition to this theoretical discussion, an empirical section presents a number of case studies and research projects in linguistic politeness. These show what has been achieved within current models and what still remains to be done, in particular with reference to cross-cultural studies in politeness and differences between a Western and a non-Western approach to the subject.

About the Author

Richard J. Watts, University of Berne, Switzerland; Sachiko Ide, Japan Women University, Tokyo, Japan; Konrad Ehlich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.