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G. The Factors Influencing the Choice of Strategies
For this research, I use the theory of Brown and Levinson dealing with the reasons of the speaker to choose the strategies. In addition, Thomas’ theory is also
put in this part since the theory relates to politeness strategy. Brown and Levinson 1987 pp.71-74 outline two major factors
influencing the speakers to choose one of the four politeness strategies. The first factor is called as payoffs while the second is the circumstances. Here I present
the major factors in more detail.
1 The payoffs: a priori considerations
There are many payoffs or advantages when a speaker decides to choose each of the strategies. Hence, a speaker considers the payoff that he will get when
using each strategy. By using bald on-record strategy, speaker and hearer can get clarity about
the meaning of an utterance. Furthermore, speaker can avoid the danger of being misunderstood. For going on record with positive politeness, a speaker can
minimize the face-threatening act. This is because speaker can satisfy the hearer’s positive face as if the speaker wants what hearer’s wants. By utilizing negative
politeness strategy, a speaker can avoid the threat or potential face loss. In another
word, speakers satisfy hearer’s negative face. Lastly, by going off record, speaker can get benefit for being tactful and non-coercive. Moreover, speaker can avoid
responsibility for the potentially face-damaging interpretation.
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2 The Circumstances: Sociological Variables
Brown and Levinson 1987 pp.74-77 argue that the circumstances in most culture involve following factors:
a The ‘social distance’ D of speaker and hearer.
D is a symmetric social dimension of similaritydifference between S and H. It is based on the frequency of interaction and the kinds of face that S
and H exchanged. b
The relative ‘power’ P of speaker and hearer. P is an asymmetric social dimension of relative power. In general, there are
two sources of P; either authorized or unauthorized and material control over economic distribution and physical force or metaphysical control.
Thomas 1995 p.127 also states that there are three kinds of power: i.
Legitimate power: one person has the right to prescribe or requests certain things by virtue of role, age or status.
ii. Referent power: one person has power over another because the other
admires and wants to be like himher in some respect. iii.
Expert power: in this case, one person has some special knowledge or expertise which the other person needs.
c The absolute ranking R of imposition in the particular culture.
R is defined as the ranking of impositions by the degree to which FTA entails. There are two ranks which contribute to do FTA; the ranking
impositions of service and goods like information and other face payment.
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More specifically, Thomas 1995 p.143 provides four factors that motivate the speakers to use the strategy of indirectness. They are interestingness,
increasing the force of one’s language, competing goals, and politeness. Here it is in more details:
a Interestingness
People may use indirectness because they enjoy having fun with language. Speaker wants to attract hearer by using unusual utterance. Though the hearer may
not understand what the speaker says, he enjoys on the way he uses language. b
Increasing the force of one’s language This factor is closely related to the previous one. When a speaker wants to
increase the impact or the effectiveness of his message, he may use indirectness. This is often done in a poem in which the speaker wants to convey a message
through indirectness sentences or phrases. c
Competing goals Speaker often employs indirectness because he has two goals which
compete. In some cases, a speaker avoids to say hurtful thing to hearer in order not to discourage him. Hence, to detect what a speaker means, hearer must
recognize the conflict of goals. d
Politeness Politeness is interpreted as a genuine desire to be pleasant to others. For
the sake of being polite, a speaker delivers his utterance in indirect forms. By doing in such way, speaker avoids responsibility to do FTA.
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H. Politeness Strategy of Criticism
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