The modesty maxim involves minimizing praise and maximizing praise of self. The modesty maxim is only applicable in expressives and assertives:
38
modesty maxim is found in self deprecating expression. The modesty maxim criteria are:
a. Minimize praise of self
b. Maximize dispraise of self
For examples: [10] A: They were so kind to us
B: Yes, They were, weren’t they?
[11] A: You were so kind to us impolite B:
Yes, I was, wasn’t I?
39
As [10] shows, it is felicitous to agree with another’s commendation except when it is a commendation of on self. But [11] fault maxim of modesty, it is to
commit the social transgression of boasting.
5. The Agreement Maxim
The agreement maxim involves minimizing disagreement and maximizing agreement between self and other. The agreement maxim is only applicable in
assertives:
40
Agreement maxim seeks agreement and avoids disagreement. The agreement maxim criteria are:
a. Minimize disagreement between self and other
b. Maximize agreement between self and other
38
Geoffrey Leech, 1983, Op.cit, p.136.
39
Wijana, I Dewa Putu, 1996, Op.cit, pp.58-59
40
Geoffrey Leech, 1983, Op.cit, p.138.
For examples: [12] A: A referendum will satisfy everybody
B: Yes, definitely
[13] A: It was an interesting exhibition, wasn’t it? B: No, it was very uninteresting
As [12] shows, it is agreement maxim because agreement was happened between self and other, in [13] partial disagreement happened so agreement
maxim was fault but it is often preferable to complete disagreement.
6. The Sympathy Maxim
The sympathy maxim involves minimizing antipathy and maximizing sympathy between self and other. The sympathy maxim is only applicable in
assertives:
41
sympathy maxim can be found in polite speech acts as to congratulate, commiserate of express condolence.
The sympathy maxim criteria are: a.
Minimize antipathy between self and other b.
Maximize sympathy between self and other For examples:
[14] I’m was sorry to hear about your father. [15] I’m was sorry to hear about your father’s death impolite
Can be interpreted that [14] as a condolence, an expression of sympathy for misfortune, and it might be preferable to say, instead of [15].
42
41
Cutting, Joan, Pragmatics and Discourse a resource book for student. London and New York, 2002, Routledge p. 50
42
Ibid
In Leech politeness model, each of the six interpersonal maxims has an associated set of scales which help establish the requisite degree of tact,
generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement and sympathy. The following scales
obtain:
• Cost benefit scale: representing the cost or benefit of an act to speaker and hearer.
43
The cost or benefit scale made up of two distinct scales, costbenefit to speaker and costbenefit to hearer. In general, these two measures vary inversely,
but it is possible for them to vary independently. For example, speaker may purpose a course of action which is, in speaker’s estimation, at a cost himself and
beneficial to hearer. So, it is assumed polite. This is appropriately described as an offer.
16 Would you like to use my electric drill? In the other hand, the speaker may purpose a course of action which is
beneficial himself will be assumed impolite, 17 I’d use an electric drill if I were you.
This would be more appropriately described as a piece of advice. • Optionality scale: Indicating the degree of choice permitted to speaker and or
hearer by a specific linguistic act.
44
The optionality scale on which illocutions are ordered according to the amount of choice which speaker allows to hearer. For example:
[18] You may go now, Smith
43
Ibid
44
Ibid
The speaker is apparently being polite in offering the hearer the choice of doing something.
• Indirectness scale: Indicating the amount of inferencing required of the hearer in order to establish the intended speaker meaning.
45
The indirectness scale on which, from speaker’s point of view, illocutions are ordered with respect to the length of the path connecting the illocutionary act
to its illocutionary goal. The indirectness scale can also be formulated from hearer’s point of view, in terms of the length of the inferential path by which the
force is derived from the sense. This scale subjects to rank of directindirect meaning in conversation.
Direct meaning is polite, indirect meaning is impolite. For example: [19] Would you mind having another sandwich?
• Authority scale: representing the status relationship between speaker and hearer.
46
This is an asymmetric measure, so that someone in authority may use a familiar form of address to someone who, in return, uses the respectful form. For
example: [20] The Chief demanded that I lend him my phone.
• Social distance scale: Indicating the degree of familiarity between speaker and hearer.
47
45
Ibid
46
Ibid
47
Ibid
The overall degree of respectfulness, for a given speech situation, depends largely on relatively permanent factors of status, age, degree of intimacy, etc., but
also, to some extent, on the temporary role of one person relative to another. For example:
[21] Get that essay to me by next week.
23
CHAPTER III RESEARCH FINDINGS
A. Data Description
