Conversational implicature (II)
The politeness principle The six main maxims The relationship between PP and CP
The politeness principle The five sets of phenomena under the heading of politeness: politeness as a real-world goal deference register politeness as a surface level phenomenon politeness as an illocutionary phenomenon
The politeness principle The four pragmatic approaches to politeness the conversational-maxim view the face-management view the conversational-contract view the pragmatic scales view
The politeness principle Minimize (all things being equal) the expression of impolite beliefs; maximize (all things being equal) the expression of polite beliefs. --- Leech Choose expressions which minimally belittle the hearer’s status. --- Cruse
The six main maxims The tact maxim minimize cost to other; maximize benefit to other The generosity maxim minimize benefit to self; maximize cost to self The approbation maxim minimize dispraise of other; maximize praise of other The modesty maxim minimize praise of self; maximize dispraise of self The agreement maxim minimize disagreement between self and other; maximize agreement between self and other The sympathy maxim minimize antipathy between self and other; maximize sympathy between self and other
六个次准则 (1)得体准则:尽量少让别人吃亏,尽量让别人多得益 (2)慷慨准则:尽量少让自己得益,尽量多让自己吃亏。 (3)赞誉准则:尽量少贬损别人,尽量多赞誉别人 (4)谦逊准则:尽量少赞誉自己,尽量多贬损自己 (5)一致准则:尽量减少双方的分歧,尽量增加双方的一致。 (6)同情准则:尽量减少双方的反感,尽量增加双方的同情。
Leech 礼貌原则的六个次准则 (从“惠”和“损”的角度) 1 得体准则 使他人受损最小;使他人受惠最大 2 慷慨准则 使自身受惠最小;使自身受损最大 3 赞誉准则 尽量少贬低别人;尽量多赞誉别人 4 谦虚准则 尽量少赞誉自己;尽量多贬低自己 5 一致准则 尽量减少双方的分歧;尽量增加双方的一致 6 同情准则 尽量减少对别人的反感;尽量增大对别人的同情
The politeness principle the 3 pairs of key notions self 自身 vs. other 他人 benefit 受惠 vs. cost 受损 minimization 尽量缩小 vs. maximization 尽量夸大
Leech 礼貌原则的六个次准则 (从“惠”和“损”的角度) 1 得体准则 利益分配 2 慷慨准则 3 赞誉准则 评价 4 谦虚准则 5 一致准则 对待他人的态度 6 同情准则
A check: cost or benefit? Help me to make a few copies of this paper. That’s really wonderful! Thank you very much!
A check: impositives Clean the office. Shut the window. Give me your money. Clean the office. Shut the window. Open your mouth wide and say Ah! Have another cup of coffee. Have a nice day. Enjoy your summer vacation.
Examples I was wondering whether or not you would be free to help me with my paper. I was wondering if you could possibly have a good time this evening.
Examples Lend me you computer. B1:Yes, haven’t you? Let me clean the office. Lend me you computer. A: I have been so careless. B1:Yes, haven’t you? B2: Don’t worry about it. We’re humans.
Examples B1:Thank you! It’s not too bad. B2:Yes, didn’t I? A:You did a wonderful job! B1:Thank you! It’s not too bad. B2:Yes, didn’t I?
Examples A: This project will bring a lot of profit to our company. B1:You’re absolutely right. I cannot agree with you more. B2:Yes, but I think we’ll encounter a lot of problems in carrying it out.
Examples I’m terribly sorry to hear that your dog died. I’m really glad to hear about your promotion. I’m terribly sorry to hear that your dog died.
Summary (1) As for benefit to other, try to express in a direct way; (2) In case of cost or disagreement to other, express in an indirect way; (3) If disagreement is unavoidable, try to use weak agreement first.
The relationship between PP and CP collaborate or rescue? The relationship between the two principles goes like this: the CP and its associated maxims are the mechanisms which enable the hearer to interpret indirectness, where there is a "mismatch between the expressed meaning and the implied meaning"; the PP and its associated maxims collaborate with the CP and its associated maxims in conceiving the reasons that lead to indirectness of conversation. (P73)
Your Assignment Try to analyze the passage Love is a fallacy under Leech’s PP. What are the advantages and disadvantages of PP?
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