Topic Seven (1.7): Speech Strategies – Conversational Maxims (Grice, 1975), Conversational Face (Goffman, 1967) and Positive and Negative Politeness (Brown and Levinson, 1987)

Introduction

In additional to some of the key structural elements of conversations, there are more subtle rules about how we interact with others of which we are usually not directly conscious when conversing but which can affect the relationship and balance of power between the speakers quite significantly. You will return to some of the material in this topic later in the course, as it will be important when you study Language and the Self for Paper 4, but it is helpful to bring it in here too as it relates to what you have covered so far on spontaneous speech.

Read and Make Notes

Skip forward in the Gould and Rankin textbook and read pages 373 to 375. Make detailed notes on conversational maxims and conversational face. 

Tasks

You will complete the activities in this section of the textbook later on, but for now, read the following resources and add to your notes so you can draw on some of these ideas as you complete Assignment One.

READ – Grice’s Maxims Download READ – Grice’s Maxims

READ – Politeness Strategies in Conversation Download READ – Politeness Strategies in Conversation

 Terminology

Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.