Institutional Repository | Satya Wacana Christian University: Politeness Strategies in Anonymous Online Discussion

POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN
ANONYMOUS ONLINE DISCUSSION
Nadia Ananda Herianto

Abstract
Few studies about the uses of politeness strategies in anonymous online
discussions have been conducted. This study wants to find out about the
politeness strategies used in anonymous online discussion. Brown and Levinson
(1987) stated that one of the factors affecting the uses of politeness is the intimacy
between participants. Many studies find that all kinds of strategies are present in
anonymous discussion, however in various frequencies (Gil-Salom and SolerMonreal, 2009; Hsieh, 2009). In this study, observation was used. Five topics
were chosen from a website that provides anonymous environment. The
participants were people who commented on the topics. The comments were
classified into different strategies using Brown and Levinson’s politeness (1987).
Off-record and bald-on record strategies were used in many statements. As
previous studies have suggested (Nissenbaum, 1999; Stein, 2003; Chang, 2003;
Farrall, 2012), the participants tended to use these strategies because anonymity
provides the freedom of expressing opinions. Positive and negative politeness
were present in the discussion. Positive politeness were used more often than
negative politeness. However, not all of Brown and Levinson’s strategies
(1987)appear in anonymous online discussion. An interesting finding is that there

were the uses of swear words. According to Dynel (2012), the uses of swear
words is one of impoliteness strategies. Previous studies found that impoliteness
often appears in discussion because of the anonymous environment (Smith, 1999;
Danet, 2001). From the findings, it was found that not all Brown and Levinson’s
strategies can be found in anonymous online discussion.
Key words: politeness strategy, anonymous online discussion, CMC