that she firmly and clearly states that politeness in Japan is not more than polite lies—small lies we tell to protect ourselves andor others from trouble or
embarrassment.
Then, how are linguistic utterances in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies open to the interpretation as polite? How Kyoko does evaluates those polite utterances
negatively as polite lies? Through my thesis entitled Politeness in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies I will reveal the answers to those questions and explain them by the
use of Watts’ radical new approach to politeness.
1.2. Scope of the Analysis
As has previously been mentioned in the background of my analysis that politeness does not only deal with language usage, but also with behavior, I would
like to emphasize that my present thesis is focused on the politeness deals with language usage in Japan as reflected in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies. Since language
itself can be expressed by the use of words and gestures body language, I would also like to emphasize that my analysis is limited only to the language expressed
by the use of words, i.e. the linguistic utterances of participants in the conversations or piece of conversation in the novel.
It should be noticed notice that what I will analyze here is not the grammaticalization of Japanese language to express politeness since the
conversation in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies is not in Japanese, but in English. Instead, I would analyze the pragmaticalization of the language to express
politeness according to the place and face of the each participant in the conversations.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
1.3. Problem of the Analysis
The fact that the main character in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies tends to define Japanese politeness as polite lies directly drives my analysis to the following
questions: 1
How are linguistic utterances in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies open to the interpretation as polite?
2 How does Kyoko evaluates those polite utterances negatively as polite lies?
1.4. Objective of the Analysis
In line with the object of the analysis above, my thesis have purposes as listed below:
1 To describe how linguistic utterances in Kyoko Mori’s Polite Lies are open to
the interpretation as polite. 2
To describe how Kyoko evaluates those polite utterances negatively as polite lies.
1.5. Significance of the Analysis
I strongly believe that my thesis would give significant advantages either for theoretical or practical use. Theoretically this thesis will be the first reference for
student of English Department of University of Sumatera Utara for this would be the first thesis analyzing the politeness phenomena. From the theory I use in this
thesis, reader will come to a new understanding that politeness can never be universalized. And from the analysis and findings, they will know why this is so.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
Practically, reader will have better knowledge about the very basic principles of politeness. By having true understanding on politeness phenomena, one would
be able to establish and maintain social community within comprehensible and agreeable communication.
Universitas Sumatera Utara
CHAPTER II THEORETICAL REVIEW ON POLITENESS THEORY
There was no way I could say that to her directly; nor was there any need to. …. As soon as I uttered my symbolic platitude, every one nodded and smile at me.
They knew exactly what I meant. [Kyoko Mori’ Polite Lies p. 154]
2.1. Facework
