English lit lang: Theorists

English lit lang: Theorists

1. Grice

   • Quantity
     • Not too much not too little- Don't give more information that is asked
       • "What is your name?" "my name is Bob"
   • Quality
     • Truth is told, with evidence
       • 'i got an A as i got 90%'
   • Relevance
     • Each speaker says something relevant
       • For example in a job interview- stay on topic
   • Manner
     • Each speaker says something clear
       • 'Turn left, then right, at the next street'
   • Maxims in Action: A: "How do i get to Asda mate?" B: "Go straight ahead, turn right at the school, then left at the bus stop"
     • Speaker A assumes that: B believes the directions to be genuine= Quality
     • Speaker A assumes that: B believes the information to be sufficient= Quantity
     • Speaker A assumes that: B believes the information to is clear=Manner
     • Speaker A assumes that: B believes his directions are to Asda= Relevance

2. Leech

   • Tact
     • Minimises the cost to the listener and maximizes the cost to the speaker
       • "Sorry can i talk to you please?"
   • Generosity
     • Minimises the benefit to the speaker and maximizes the benefit to the listner
       • "You should come for tea"
   • Approbation
     • Minimises praise to the speaker
       • "yes i have seen that it's unusual"
   • Modesty
     • Minimises praise of the speaker
       • "i'm a bit stupid can you say it again please?"
   • Agreement
     • Minimises disagreement
       • "why don't we go at ten?"
   • Sympathy
     • Minimises antipathy (dislike) and maximises sympathy
       • "Sorry to hear you are not well"

3. Labov

   • 1.Abstract
     • Briefly, what is the story about?
       • "A really strange thing happened last night"
   • 2.Otrientation
     • Who? what? where? when?
       • "A friend of mine [did this] on friday"
   • 3.Complicating action
     • Then what happened?
       • "and then..."
   • 4.Evaluation
     • How is this interesting?
       • "and then she got them half price!"
   • 5.Result or resolution
     • What finally happened?
       • " it turned out that's why"
   • 6.Coda
     • The story is finished

4. Lakoff

   • Don't impose
     • Avoid intruding on other people's lives
       • "Excuse me" "sorry to bother you"
   • Give options
     • Avoid making the listener feel obliged to do something
       • "do you mind?" "is it okay?"
   • Make your receiver feel good
     • Make others feel appreciated
       • "you look nice today"

5. Brown and Levison:FACE

   • Positive Politeness
     • 1. Attend to the hearer 2. Avoid disagreement 3.Assume agreement 4.Hedge opinion
       • 1."you must be hungry?" 2."not very small but not very big" 3."so when are you coming to see us?" 4."you really should sort of try harder"
   • Negative Politeness
     • 1.Be indirect 2. Request forgiveness 3. minimise imposition 4. pluralize the person responsible
       • 1. "i'm looking for a pen" 2."you must forgive me but... could i borrow your pen?" 3. "i just wanted to ask you if i could use your pen" 4. "we forgot to tell you that it is due in yesterday"

6. Purpose when looking at transcripts of real talk: TRIPE

   • T= Transactional- exchanges where there is negotiation or getting something done e.g. asking for directions
     • R= Referential- Providing information e.g. giving details about an event
       • I= Interactional- exchanges when the main focus is social e.g. catching up on news
         • P= Phatic- small talk e.g. openings or weather comments
           • E= Expressive- conveying and describing feelings e.g. being upset