71
B. The factors influencing the use of politeness strategy in Thank You for
Smoking
This section discusses the factors influencing the use of politeness strategies produced by the main characters in Thank You for Smoking. Based on
the investigation of the use of politeness strategies by implementing socio-cultural variables of Brown and Levinson’s model, there were three factors emerging and
influencing the use of politeness strategies. They were social distance, power, and imposition. Those factors will be also combined with sociolinguistic aspect,
namely the social dimensions proposed by Holmes.
1. Social Distance
According to Brown and Levinson 1987: 76, social distance is “a symmetric social dimension of similaritydifference”. It is determined by
interlocutors’ stable attributes, such as the age, sex, and socio-cultural background. Socio-cultural background here encompasses social class and
ethnic background. Furthermore, according to Holmes 2001: 9 social distance is dealing with the relationship between the speaker and the hearer good
friends, strangers or parent-child. In other words, it could be considered as the degree of friendliness. Thus, when the social distance between the speakers is
getting far, the degree of politeness that they use will be higher. On the contrary, when the social distance between the speakers is close, the degree of
politeness that they use will be lower. In Thank You for Smoking, the writer found out that almost all of the conversations carried out by the main
characters were mostly influenced by the social distance.
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72 First, it could be clearly seen in the conversations between Nick and BR,
his boss. Although their relationship is actually between employer and employee, in which the utterances are usually supposed to be full of deference,
Nick and BR frequently committed Bald on Record strategy to each other. Their utterances were very direct and clear. Besides, they also applied positive
politeness strategies such as giving compliments, addressing each other only with FN first name, using slang words, avoiding disagreement, and many
more. This obviously indicates that Nick has little social distance with his boss. They know each other very well. In other words, their relationship is inclined
to be between close friends, instead of between employer and employee. Thus, most of their conversations were delivered by Bald on Record strategy. It is in
line with the socio-cultural variables proposed by Brown and Levinson that when the social distance between the speakers is close, the degree of politeness
that they use will be lower. This could be illustrated in Speech Act 1, 6, 7, 8, 19, 20, 22, and 30.
Secondly, because of the little social distance, or the close relationship between Nick and his best friend, Polly Bailey, they liked to convey their ideas
or arguments mostly by applying Bald on Record strategy. They used direct and clear words, even often attacked each other’s face without mitigating the
threat, so that sometimes they were involved in debates. It might be also influenced by their social background that is as spokespeople for their
company. They were inclined to be so critical that they were definitely good at spinning words. However, as best friend, they liked jokes and laughs and
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73 remained to keep their relationship by applying Positive Politeness strategies
such as avoid disagreement, seek agreement, etc in order to create good atmosphere as in debates particularly. As a result, their conversation kept going
smoothly. This could be illustrated in Speech Act 3, 10, 18, 21, and 27. Thirdly, the majority of politeness strategy used by Nick and Jill toward
their lovely son, Joey and vice versa was Bald on Record and Positive Politeness strategies. Again, it was all due to the little distance among them,
which was family relation parent - child. They really know and understand each other, so that they were comfortable, or not feeling clumsy when
conveying their intentions, ideas, or requests to each other directly. Besides, because of there were some age distance between them, both Nick and Jill in
particular often gave gifts to Joey in the form of understanding Positive Politeness strategy when they were trying to explain difficult or serious topic.
This could be illustrated in Speech Act 2, 4, 11, 12, 14, 15, 24, and 26. Fourth, it could be obviously seen in this movie that there were some gaps
or social distance between Nick and his ex-wife, Jill, and between Nick and his enemy, Senator Ortolan Finisterre. Put it briefly, they have no good
relationship. Nick has divorced with his wife, Jill. Meanwhile Nick and Senator have completely contrary background. Nick is from the Academy of Tobacco
Studies, while Senator Finistirre is from Health and Human Services. Consequently, they were involved in debates frequently. They often revealed
their thoughts or arguments straightforwardly and even had no effort to soften or mitigate the threats. Moreover, sometimes they used Off Record strategies in
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74 order to allude each other. In addition, it could be said that Nick has neglected
the age and social distance or even relative power or status between himself and Senator Finistirre. Therefore, some awkwardness, and even tenseness often
existed in their conversations. This could be illustrated in Speech Act 5, 9, 17, 23, 25, 28, and 29.
2. Power
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