Socio-Cultural Concepts of (Im)Politeness

Traditional politeness theory is rooted in pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analyses. How it is invoked, interpreted and enacted across various contexts and cultures has many complexities. (Im)politeness intersects with the social identity, shaping the perception one may have of another’s authority. Furthermore, the rules of (im)politeness are also molded around the power dynamics and circumstances of the setting. As a result, studies on (im)politeness have important implications for the use of pragmatic language and the development of interpersonal skills. Socio-Cultural Concepts of (Im)Politeness: Interpretation, Linguistics, and Discourse Analysis bridges the gaps between various theoretical orientations and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue within the fields of linguistics, communication studies, and cultural studies. It explores and critically assesses the concept of (im)politeness from a diverse range of theoretical and methodological perspectives. Covering topics such as rhetorical structure, contextual gaps, and genderlects, this book is an excellent resource for linguists, sociologists, anthropologists, communication specialists, professionals, researchers, scholars, academicians, and more.