Face and Face Management Psychology of Language John R. Baldwin School of Communication--ISU

The Basic Concepts Face: Interaction =Performance –Lines –Props –Audience Shameless or heartless? Out of face, wrong face

The Basic Concepts Facework: –Preventative –Restorative Dimensions of Face (Brown & Levinson) –Positive –Negative

Face-Threatening Acts Embarrassment happens when an “actor” loses face (or poise) Some acts can threaten both types of face Sometimes we save one type while losing another Any party can seek to redress face loss or prevent face loss Sometimes, the best response is no response

Remedial Facework 1.Untoward Act or Predicament 2.Challenge or Reproach (Need not be spoken) 3.Offering Humor Apology Account (excuse or justification) Remediation Aggression (Aggressive facework—save own face at expense of other’s face) 4.Acceptance 5.Appreciation

Preventative strategies for doing FTAs 1. Without redressive action (bald on record) 2. Positive Politeness (redressive action) 3. Negative Politeness (redressive action) 4. Off record (hinting) 5. Don't do the FTA Very Efficient Very Polite

Weightiness of an FTA SEVERITY OF FTA = –Distance (Speaker/Hearer) + –Power (Speaker/Hearer) + –Ranking X (Imposition)

Preventative Facework: Disclaimers Hedging: I may be wrong, but.. Credentialing: I’m your husband. I have every right to read your mail. Sin license: This is a special occasion! Cognitive disclaimer: I know this sounds crazy, but… Appeal for suspended judgment: Hear me out before you get upset

Positive Politeness Strategies CLAIM COMMON GROUND Convey X is admirable/interesting –Notice, attend to X’s interests, needs, etc. –Exaggerate interest, approval, etc. Claim in-group membership with X –Use in-group markers (we, us) Claim common point of view, attitude, opinions, knowledge, empathy –Give agreement and avoid disagreement –Presuppose (enthymeme); raise, assert common ground –Joke

Positive Politeness Strategies CONVEY THAT SPEAKER & HEARER ARE COOPERATORS Indicate you are taking X’s interests or needs into account Claim Reflexivity –Offer, promise –Be optimistic –Include both S & H in activity –Give (or ask for) reasons Claim reciprocity FULFILL H’s WANT (for some X) Give gifts to X

Negative Politeness Strategies DON’T ASSUME X IS WILLING OR ABLE TO PERFORM THE ACTION – Question, hedge DON’T TRY TO COERCE X Give X option not to act –Be indirect –Don’t assume H is able/willing to do the action –Assume X is not likely to do the Action (Be pessimistic) Minimize threat –Minimize imposition –Give deference

Negative Politeness Strategies COMMUNICATE s’S WANT NOT TO IMPINGE ON H –Apologize –Dissociate S, H from particular infringement Impersonalize S&H: Avoid “I” and “you” State FTA as a general rule REDRESS H’S OTHER WANTS RELATED TO NEG FACE –Give deference –Go on record as incurring a debt, or as not indebting

Off-Record Strategies INVITE CONVERSATIONAL IMPLICATURES Violate Relevance Maxim –Hints –Association clues –Presuppose Violate Quantity Maxim –Understate –Overstate Violate Quality Maxim –Use contradiction –Be ironic –Use metaphors and rhetorical questions

Off-Record Strategies BE VAGUE OR AMBIGUOUS Violate Manner Maxim –Be ambiguous –Be vague –Be incomplete, use ellipsis