16
Figure 1: Politeness Strategies Proposed by Brown and Levinson 1987: 60
Speakers can choose one of those four politeness strategies when they want to do the FTAs in which the degree may vary. The more speakers want to use “higher-
numbered” strategy, the more polite it is. The elaborations of each strategy as well as the examples are presented as follows.
a. Bald-On Record Strategy
According to Brown and Levinson 1987, Bald-On Record strategy is “a direct way of saying things p. 74.” It does not lead hearers to misunderstanding
and misinterpretation. The utterances are spoken in a direct, clear, unambiguous, and concise way. This strategy is applied without any minimization to the
impositions to the hearers. Further, Brown and Levinson suggest that direct imperative is a clear example of Bald-On Record. The utterance: “Tell me how
the meeting goes” as an example of a direct imperative form uses Bald-On Record strategy. It attempts not to minimize the threats to the hearers to perform
actions. This strategy is commonly applied when both speakers and hearers have PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
17 known each other well. In a situation when the speakers have significantly more
power than the hearers, thus, a Bald-On Record strategy is also applied. The utterance: “Watch out” is also considered as an example of Bald-On Record. It
simply implies no threat minimizing for it shows great urgency. When great urgency is necessary, hence, Bald-On Record strategy is mostly applied.
b. Positive Politeness Strategy
Brown and Levinson 1987 define Positive Politeness as “The strategy which is oriented by a speaker towards the positive face or the positive self-image
of hearers that the speaker claims for himself p. 70.” It is expressed by satisfying the hearers’ positive faces. Compliment is clearly an example of Positive
Politeness strategy. Holtgraves 2002 states that compliment simply fulfills the other persons wants directly p. 47. Compliment, as a result, satisfies the hearers’
face wants and engages solidarity between them. “The dress works perfectly on you, babe” as an example of compliment uses Positive Politeness strategy.
Wardhaugh 2010 states that Positive Politeness may lead to friendship p. 292. Using various in-group markers in friendship is commonly applied in
speaking. In addition, Holtgraves 2002 also emphasizes that using various in- group markers such as familiar address terms honey, mate, bud shows the use of
Positive Politeness strategy p. 46. Besides, involving the hearers to an activity is also considered as friendship. In the same point of view, Holtgraves 2002 states
that inviting hearers to a situation leads both speakers and hearers to cooperation PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
18 p. 47. Therefore, the utterance: “Let’s have lunch” as an example of invitation
applies Positive Politeness strategy. Brown and Levinson 1987 state that being optimistic is one of the ways
to apply Positive Politeness strategy p. 126. It aims to respect hearers’ notions of positive face. Similarly, Holtgraves 2002 mentions that a speaker can convey
Positive Politeness by conveying optimism p. 47. Besides, agreement is also considered as a way to convey cooperation between the speaker and the hearers.
Furthermore, Holtgraves 2002 mentions that a speaker may seek point of agreement when applying Positive Politeness strategy even when disagreeing p.
47.
c. Negative Politeness Strategy
Brown and Levinson 1987 assert “Negative Politeness strategy as a redressive action addressed to hearer’s negative face: his want to have his freedom
of action unhindered and his attention unimpeded p. 129.” It performs the function of minimizing particular impositions on the hearers. To minimize the
impositions, a speaker may use hedges and convey pessimism in the utterances. Holtgraves 2002 states that using hedges is one way to lessen the impositions of
a request p. 45. The utterance: “Take the snack, if you may” is clearly a Negative Politeness strategy as it offers freedom of action to the hearers. In addition,
Holtgraves 2002 mentions that Negative Politeness strategy involves attempts to lessen coercion by conveying pessimism regarding to the act to be performed p.
