ROLE OF PRAGMATICS IN CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION: A FOCUS ON POLITENESS

Abstract

This study explores the role performed by politeness in effective cross-cultural communication situations. It analyzes the several ways in which different cultures understand and use politeness for maintaining relationships and social harmony based on ideas from Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory (1987) and Goffman's (1967) concept of face. Politeness varies across cultures, especially through the four main strategies; positive politeness, negative politeness, off-record, and bald-on-record. An analysis of six cultural backgrounds speech by including African, American, Australian,Indian, Pakistani, and Nigerian reflects politeness with cultural values. Findings indicate that a culture based on directness in speech is favored within the West, mainly as individualism and indirectness would dominate within an Eastern culture concerning harmony and a unitary nature. This study upholds an important suggestion that, while improving communication across cultures, awareness about their different politeness norms must be highlighted and kept in mind. It also connects the theory to real-life situations, promoting better understanding and cooperation in diverse settings.