POLITENESS AND PRAGMATICS – HOW CONTEXT INFLUENCES POLITE EXPRESSIONS

Аннотация

Politeness is a fundamental component of effective communication, closely tied to cultural and social norms. This article examines the role of pragmatics in understanding politeness and how contextual factors (social distance, power dynamics, cultural norms, and situational settings) influence polite expressions. Based on Brown and Levinson's face theory, it analyzes politeness strategies, both direct and indirect. Cross-cultural comparisons highlight the importance of pragmatic awareness in achieving successful communication, particularly in increasingly global and digital environments. Politeness refers to the strategies used to manage relationships and social interactions, often aiming to minimize conflict and show respect. Pragmatics is the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in communication. It encompasses the social norms, cultural values, and situational factors that affect how language is used and understood.