uses positive politeness approach which makes it Approbation Maxim with
positive politeness approach.
The second scale is Indirectness Scale. In General Grey’ utterance, he does not directly answer the Queen’s question instead of shifting an expected answer
into an unexpected answer. He chooses to give a non - answer for her by giving
comfort. By doing this, General Grey’s utterance is considered as polite.
The last category is Social Distance Scale. In this case, Grey’s general status is lower than Georgiana as she is the Duchess. When talking to Georgiana,
he uses the word “your”. This is considered as polite becauses there is no other word that can replace ‘your’. In the conversation, it is concluded that Grey uses
dispreffered second turn politely when talking to Georgiana.
d. Modesty Maxim
The fourth principle to be discussed is Modesty Maxim. The rank of occurrence is the same with Tact Maxim. The explanation of this principle is
given as follows.
Extract 26 Int. The Duke’s Bedroom, Morning Same Time, Scene 81a
Georgiana
: What is wrong with me? Why have you never
loved me? 1
st
Duke : SIMPLE, EXHAUTED CLARITY I do not
claim to be a man of fine sensibility, G, But I have always known what I expect from this marriage and
what I am prepared to give.2
nd
DC46SC81aINT
The politeness principle applied in the second turn in this extract is Modesty Maxim. The dispreferred second turns which becomes the categorization
of the politeness principle is a non-answer.
In line with Tact Maxim, Generosity Maxim, and Approbation Maxim, Modesty Maxim also happens in two approaches: positive politeness and negative
politeness. This is the same as Approbation Maxim, but it is more self-centered because the praise or dispraise comes from the speaker. To analyze Duke
Devonshire’ utterance, there are scales which also determine the categorization of PP.
Cost-Benefit Scale measures how the speaker minimizes or maximizes the cost and the benefit to the hearer. However, in this case Modesty Maxim discusses
praise and dispraise; the functions of cost and benefit are changed into praise and dispraise. The Duke of Devonshire maximizes the dispraise of self. Duke
Devonshire thinks that he is not sensible. He said, “I do not claim to be a man of fine sensibility, G. ”Therefore, the Duke of Devoshire utterance is considered as
polite. Indirectness Scale is the other one to measure the level of politeness. In the
Duke of Devonshire’s utterance, he indirectly answers the the Duchess’s complaint which is in the form of question. He prefers to give an assessment for
himself to answer Georgiana. By doing this, the Duke of Devonshire utterance is considered as polite.
The last scale is Social Distance Scale. Although Duke Devonshire’s status is higher than Georgiana, he still uses polite words when talking to
Georgiana. This is enough to consider Duke Devonshire’s dispreferred second turn as polite utterance.
e. Agreement Maxim
The fifth principle to be discussed is Agreement Maxim. It is ranked the highest among all. The explanation and the representative example are discussed
as follows.
Extract 27 Int. Painted Hall, Chatsworth – Long After Dinner, Scene 64a
Lady Spencer :
HUSHEDBut you have only known her
three months Georgiana
: Bess is my friend She is the very best
women. 1
st
Lady Spencer :
She seems to be many things, but I would be hard pushed to say were that. 2
nd
DC41SC64aINT
Politeness principle applied in the second turn in this extract is Agreement Maxim. The dispreferred second turn which becomes the categorization of the
politeness principle is a disagreement. It is used to give a clear reason to the Duchess.
Similar to the previous maxims, Agreement Maxim also happens in two approaches: positive politeness and negative politeness. It discusses agreement
and disagreement between self and other. To analyze Lady Spencer’s utterance, there are scales which also determine the categorization of PP.
The first scale is Cost Benefit Scale; however, the functions of cost and benefit are changed into agreement and disagreement. Lady Spencer maximizes
the disagreement between self and other, in this case, Georgiana. Theoretically, Lady Spencer’s utterance is considered as impolite and she violates Agreement
Maxim in both positive and negative politeness approaches.
