An investigation into compliments, offers, & advice through the lens of politeness theories in intercultural communication
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Abstract
Intercultural communication is seen as crucial in everyday conversations, particularly in a global context. Several studies have suggested that communication breakdowns largely stem from English users' failure to adhere to Politeness Principles. This article addresses the urgent needs of English users in an intercultural communication setting by emphasizing that mastering politeness theory is key to overcoming barriers for ESL and EFL students. The article first reviews key theoretical frameworks of politeness theories, including conversational maxims, face-saving, and social norms. Building on this theoretical framework, it then aims to clarify, analyze, and interpret communication situations through short exchanges between EFL/ESL learners and native English speakers to identify the causes of communication breakdowns and propose remedies. Based on these findings, the article presents conclusions and pedagogical implications to assist lecturers in helping their students communicate effectively across cultures.
Keywords: Politeness principles, conversational maxims, face-saving, social norms
Keywords
Politeness principles, conversational maxims, face-saving, social norms
Article Details
References
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