Politeness and Face-Saving

Description: This quiz tests your understanding of politeness and face-saving in linguistics.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: pragmatics politeness face-saving
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What is the primary goal of politeness in communication?

  1. To show respect for the other person.

  2. To avoid conflict.

  3. To make the other person feel good.

  4. To get what you want.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Politeness is a way of showing respect for the other person and their feelings. It involves using language that is appropriate for the situation and that avoids causing offense.

What is the concept of 'face' in politeness theory?

  1. A person's public image.

  2. A person's sense of self-worth.

  3. A person's social status.

  4. A person's reputation.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Face is a person's sense of self-worth and social standing. It is important to maintain face in social interactions, and politeness is one way of doing this.

What are some strategies for saving face in communication?

  1. Using indirect language.

  2. Avoiding direct confrontation.

  3. Offering apologies.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are a number of strategies that can be used to save face in communication. These include using indirect language, avoiding direct confrontation, and offering apologies.

What is the difference between positive and negative politeness?

  1. Positive politeness focuses on the speaker's face, while negative politeness focuses on the hearer's face.

  2. Positive politeness is more direct, while negative politeness is more indirect.

  3. Positive politeness is more common in individualistic cultures, while negative politeness is more common in collectivist cultures.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Positive politeness focuses on the speaker's face, while negative politeness focuses on the hearer's face. Positive politeness is more direct, while negative politeness is more indirect. Positive politeness is more common in individualistic cultures, while negative politeness is more common in collectivist cultures.

What are some examples of positive politeness strategies?

  1. Using compliments.

  2. Showing agreement.

  3. Using honorifics.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Some examples of positive politeness strategies include using compliments, showing agreement, and using honorifics.

What are some examples of negative politeness strategies?

  1. Using hedges.

  2. Using indirect requests.

  3. Avoiding direct eye contact.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Some examples of negative politeness strategies include using hedges, using indirect requests, and avoiding direct eye contact.

How does politeness vary across cultures?

  1. Politeness norms are universal.

  2. Politeness norms vary depending on the culture.

  3. Politeness norms vary depending on the situation.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Politeness norms are not universal. They vary depending on the culture and the situation.

What are some factors that can affect politeness norms?

  1. The social status of the speaker and hearer.

  2. The relationship between the speaker and hearer.

  3. The context of the interaction.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Politeness norms can be affected by a number of factors, including the social status of the speaker and hearer, the relationship between the speaker and hearer, and the context of the interaction.

How can politeness be used to achieve communicative goals?

  1. Politeness can be used to build rapport.

  2. Politeness can be used to avoid conflict.

  3. Politeness can be used to persuade others.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Politeness can be used to achieve a variety of communicative goals, including building rapport, avoiding conflict, and persuading others.

What are some challenges to being polite in communication?

  1. It can be difficult to know what is considered polite in a particular culture.

  2. It can be difficult to balance the needs of the speaker and the hearer.

  3. It can be difficult to be polite in situations where there is conflict.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are a number of challenges to being polite in communication. These include the difficulty of knowing what is considered polite in a particular culture, the difficulty of balancing the needs of the speaker and the hearer, and the difficulty of being polite in situations where there is conflict.

How can people learn to be more polite in communication?

  1. By studying the politeness norms of different cultures.

  2. By practicing using polite language in different situations.

  3. By seeking feedback from others on their politeness.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

People can learn to be more polite in communication by studying the politeness norms of different cultures, by practicing using polite language in different situations, and by seeking feedback from others on their politeness.

What are some of the benefits of being polite in communication?

  1. Politeness can help to build relationships.

  2. Politeness can help to avoid conflict.

  3. Politeness can help to make communication more effective.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Politeness can help to build relationships, avoid conflict, and make communication more effective.

What are some of the consequences of being impolite in communication?

  1. Impoliteness can damage relationships.

  2. Impoliteness can lead to conflict.

  3. Impoliteness can make communication less effective.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Impoliteness can damage relationships, lead to conflict, and make communication less effective.

What is the relationship between politeness and power?

  1. Politeness is a way of showing respect for those in power.

  2. Politeness is a way of asserting one's own power.

  3. Politeness is a way of negotiating power relationships.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Politeness is a way of showing respect for those in power, asserting one's own power, and negotiating power relationships.

How does politeness vary in different types of discourse?

  1. Politeness norms vary depending on the type of discourse.

  2. Politeness norms are the same in all types of discourse.

  3. Politeness norms are not relevant in certain types of discourse.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Politeness norms vary depending on the type of discourse. For example, the norms of politeness in a formal academic setting are different from the norms of politeness in a casual conversation.

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