Luận văn a study of politness strategies in the conversational activities of the course book market leader intermediate

o0 +~.158 Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of ba

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOL

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES,

NGUYEN TIT LA

A STUDY OF POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN THE CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE COLRSE BOOK

“MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE (NEW EDITION)

Nghiên cứu các chiến lược lịch sự được sử đựng trong các bài hội thoại của

giáo trình tiếng Ảnh thương mại “MARKET LẺADER, INTERMEDIATE"

(Tái bản) MLA MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

Field: English Linguistics Code: 60.22.02.01

Hanoi, 2014

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOL

UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND ENTERNATEONAL STUDIES

FACULTY OF POST-GRADUATE STUDIES,

NGUYEN THI LA

A STUDY OF POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN THE CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE COURSE BOOK

“MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE (NEW EDITION)

Nghién cin cae chign lege lich sw được sử dựng trong các bái hội thoại của

giáo trình tiếng Anh thuong mai “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE”

(Tai ban)

M.A MINOR PROGRAMME THESIS

Field: English Linguistics

Code: 60.22.02.01

Supervisor: Dr Kiều Thị Thu Hương

Hanoi, 2014

DECLARATION

Thereby, vertify the thesis named “A study of politeness strafegics in the conversational

activities of the course book “Market Leader, Imermediate” (New edition)” is the result of

my own work for the Minor Degree of Master of Arts at University of Languages and

Trlermalional Studies, Vicinam National University, Hanoi The research has not been

submitted for any degree at any other universities or institutions I agree that the origin of

February, 2014

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

TABLES

Table 1, The five general ftmctions of speech acts

Table 2: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

achivitics of the course book “Market Leader, Tricrmediale” 2

‘Table 3 ‘The frequency of politeness strategies in terms of functions of utterance .28 Table 1: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarkct Leader, Intermediate”

‘Table 5: frequency of occurrence of negative politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarket Leader, Intermediate” 36

FIGURES

Figure 1: Circumstances determining choice of strategies 15

tipure 2: Siratepies to minimize risk o losing fae o0 +~.158

Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate”

Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of bald-on-request strategy in terms of

in conversations of “Market Leader, Intermediate” so

Figure 7: The frequency of negative politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 8: Frequency of ocourrence of negative politeness strategies

an conversalions of “Market [.eader, Indermediale” 36

vũ

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

viii

ABSTRACT

When people from different cullures using different languages communuicale to each other,

there exists the possibility of miscommunication In order to avoid misunderstanding and

culture shock, learners of foreign languages especially of English should know how to

behave properly in cach certain siluation Reing considered one of the key factors of successful cross-culture communication, politeness strategies are commonly used in daily

social interactions Therefore, the author conducts this study with the aims of invesligating

politeness strategies in conversational activities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” (New edition) Her attempt is to help students at Hanoi University of

Business and Technology achieve success in communication in their future work

In the coursebook “Market Leader, Intermediate” most of conversational activities are disoussed and analysed mainly on politeness theories of Brown & Levinson and Nguyen Quang The research shows that the frequencies of politeness stratogics occurance in conversational activities of the material are not always the same The findings show that

negative politeness strategies are employed more frequently than positive politeness, bald-

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

PART II: CONCLUSION

‘TABLE OF CONTEN DECLARATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT co so

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

6 Design of the study

PART LU: DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1, Speech Acts

1.1.1 Speech Acts and Speech Events

1.1.2 Classification of Speech Acts

1.1.2.4 Function-based Appraach

1.1.2.2 Structural-function Based Approach

1.2 Politeness theory

1 2 1, Notions of politemess theory

1.2.2 Conversational-maxim View on Politeness

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

TABLES

Table 1, The five general ftmctions of speech acts

Table 2: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

achivitics of the course book “Market Leader, Tricrmediale” 2

‘Table 3 ‘The frequency of politeness strategies in terms of functions of utterance .28 Table 1: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarkct Leader, Intermediate”

‘Table 5: frequency of occurrence of negative politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarket Leader, Intermediate” 36

FIGURES

Figure 1: Circumstances determining choice of strategies 15

tipure 2: Siratepies to minimize risk o losing fae o0 +~.158

Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate”

Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of bald-on-request strategy in terms of

in conversations of “Market Leader, Intermediate” so

Figure 7: The frequency of negative politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 8: Frequency of ocourrence of negative politeness strategies

an conversalions of “Market [.eader, Indermediale” 36

vũ

ABSTRACT

When people from different cullures using different languages communuicale to each other,

there exists the possibility of miscommunication In order to avoid misunderstanding and

culture shock, learners of foreign languages especially of English should know how to

behave properly in cach certain siluation Reing considered one of the key factors of successful cross-culture communication, politeness strategies are commonly used in daily

social interactions Therefore, the author conducts this study with the aims of invesligating

politeness strategies in conversational activities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” (New edition) Her attempt is to help students at Hanoi University of

Business and Technology achieve success in communication in their future work

In the coursebook “Market Leader, Intermediate” most of conversational activities are disoussed and analysed mainly on politeness theories of Brown & Levinson and Nguyen Quang The research shows that the frequencies of politeness stratogics occurance in conversational activities of the material are not always the same The findings show that

negative politeness strategies are employed more frequently than positive politeness, bald-

on-record and off-rccord strategy Most politeness strategies are used in such conversational activities as making disagreements, agreements and requests

Tn addition, the author also suggests some recommendations thal might work in the Vietnamese context to improve the teaching and learning of verbal communication for students at [anoi University of Business and Technology.

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

6 Design of the study

PART LU: DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1, Speech Acts

1.1.1 Speech Acts and Speech Events

1.1.2 Classification of Speech Acts

1.1.2.4 Function-based Appraach

1.1.2.2 Structural-function Based Approach

1.2 Politeness theory

1 2 1, Notions of politemess theory

1.2.2 Conversational-maxim View on Politeness

ABSTRACT

When people from different cullures using different languages communuicale to each other,

there exists the possibility of miscommunication In order to avoid misunderstanding and

culture shock, learners of foreign languages especially of English should know how to

behave properly in cach certain siluation Reing considered one of the key factors of successful cross-culture communication, politeness strategies are commonly used in daily

social interactions Therefore, the author conducts this study with the aims of invesligating

politeness strategies in conversational activities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” (New edition) Her attempt is to help students at Hanoi University of

Business and Technology achieve success in communication in their future work

In the coursebook “Market Leader, Intermediate” most of conversational activities are disoussed and analysed mainly on politeness theories of Brown & Levinson and Nguyen Quang The research shows that the frequencies of politeness stratogics occurance in conversational activities of the material are not always the same The findings show that

negative politeness strategies are employed more frequently than positive politeness, bald-

on-record and off-rccord strategy Most politeness strategies are used in such conversational activities as making disagreements, agreements and requests

Tn addition, the author also suggests some recommendations thal might work in the Vietnamese context to improve the teaching and learning of verbal communication for students at [anoi University of Business and Technology.

3.3, Suggestions for further study - - eee AB

APPENDIX

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

3.3, Suggestions for further study - - eee AB

APPENDIX

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

TABLES

Table 1, The five general ftmctions of speech acts

Table 2: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

achivitics of the course book “Market Leader, Tricrmediale” 2

‘Table 3 ‘The frequency of politeness strategies in terms of functions of utterance .28 Table 1: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarkct Leader, Intermediate”

‘Table 5: frequency of occurrence of negative politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarket Leader, Intermediate” 36

FIGURES

Figure 1: Circumstances determining choice of strategies 15

tipure 2: Siratepies to minimize risk o losing fae o0 +~.158

Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate”

Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of bald-on-request strategy in terms of

fanclions of ullerarices 29

Figure 5: The frequency of positive politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 6: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness stralegies

in conversations of “Market Leader, Intermediate” so

Figure 7: The frequency of negative politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 8: Frequency of ocourrence of negative politeness strategies

an conversalions of “Market [.eader, Indermediale” 36

vũ

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

PART II: CONCLUSION

portrission lo carry oul and complele lltis MLA thesis and lo use (he Department’

Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Kiéu Thi Thu Huomg, Vice-Dean of the English Faculty - Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam for ber

valuable comments, endless encouragement, kind guidance and correction

T also wish to acknowledge all the lecturers at the Post Graduate Department, University of Languages and International Studies whose lectures have enriched iny knowledge in many fields of linguistics as well as of daily life They are Prof Dr lloang Van Van, Prof Dr Lé

Hug Tién, Asoc Prof Dr V6 Dai Quang, Dr Lé Van Canh, Dr Nguyễn Huy Kỷ, Dr Ngồ Hữu Hoàng, Dr Ha Cam ‘Tam, Dr Huynh Anh Tuần

My sincere thanks go to say colleagues and friends at Hanoi University of Business and

Technology, who have constantly assisted me in completing the research:

Finally, I would not have been able to complete this work without the wholc-hearted

support and endless encouragement from my husband, our parents and our son

portrission lo carry oul and complele lltis MLA thesis and lo use (he Department’

Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Kiéu Thi Thu

Huomg, Vice-Dean of the English Faculty - Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam for ber

valuable comments, endless encouragement, kind guidance and correction

T also wish to acknowledge all the lecturers at the Post Graduate Department, University of Languages and International Studies whose lectures have enriched iny knowledge in many fields of linguistics as well as of daily life They are Prof Dr lloang Van Van, Prof Dr Lé

Hug Tién, Asoc Prof Dr V6 Dai Quang, Dr Lé Van Canh, Dr Nguyễn Huy Kỷ, Dr Ngồ Hữu Hoàng, Dr Ha Cam ‘Tam, Dr Huynh Anh Tuần

My sincere thanks go to say colleagues and friends at Hanoi University of Business and

Technology, who have constantly assisted me in completing the research:

Finally, I would not have been able to complete this work without the wholc-hearted

support and endless encouragement from my husband, our parents and our son

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

PART II: CONCLUSION

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

TABLES

Table 1, The five general ftmctions of speech acts

Table 2: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

achivitics of the course book “Market Leader, Tricrmediale” 2

‘Table 3 ‘The frequency of politeness strategies in terms of functions of utterance .28 Table 1: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarkct Leader, Intermediate”

‘Table 5: frequency of occurrence of negative politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarket Leader, Intermediate” 36

FIGURES

Figure 1: Circumstances determining choice of strategies 15

tipure 2: Siratepies to minimize risk o losing fae o0 +~.158

Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate”

Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of bald-on-request strategy in terms of

in conversations of “Market Leader, Intermediate” so

Figure 7: The frequency of negative politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 8: Frequency of ocourrence of negative politeness strategies

an conversalions of “Market [.eader, Indermediale” 36

vũ

ABSTRACT

When people from different cullures using different languages communuicale to each other,

there exists the possibility of miscommunication In order to avoid misunderstanding and

culture shock, learners of foreign languages especially of English should know how to

behave properly in cach certain siluation Reing considered one of the key factors of successful cross-culture communication, politeness strategies are commonly used in daily

social interactions Therefore, the author conducts this study with the aims of invesligating

politeness strategies in conversational activities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” (New edition) Her attempt is to help students at Hanoi University of

Business and Technology achieve success in communication in their future work

In the coursebook “Market Leader, Intermediate” most of conversational activities are disoussed and analysed mainly on politeness theories of Brown & Levinson and Nguyen Quang The research shows that the frequencies of politeness stratogics occurance in conversational activities of the material are not always the same The findings show that

negative politeness strategies are employed more frequently than positive politeness, bald-

1.2.3.1 The Concept of Face - - - 13

1.3 Previous study THÍ KH HH 1H HH gi tH ưêg 28 CTIAPTER I: POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN CONVERSATIONAL ACTIVITIES

OF THE COURSEBOOK “MARKET LEADER, INTERMEDIATE? .25

2.1 Mcthodology chen hhhehererimierieoi.e

2.1.2 Rescarch techmiques .ccccesee susie essen sereenssnnesaeniss essen eo

2.1.2.3 Steps for Data Analysis cscs esses esses esmiesieseenesseeieeseess eerste SO

2.2.5, Off-record Strategy in Conversational Activities of

“Market Leader, Intermediate” 0 csccsssssseessessieeinstnsnstintinicesntene ence SS

CHAPTER 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AT HANOI UNIVERSITY OF BUSINESS

LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES

TABLES

Table 1, The five general ftmctions of speech acts

Table 2: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

achivitics of the course book “Market Leader, Tricrmediale” 2

‘Table 3 ‘The frequency of politeness strategies in terms of functions of utterance .28 Table 1: Frequency of occurrence of positive politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarkct Leader, Intermediate”

‘Table 5: frequency of occurrence of negative politeness strategies in

conversations ofMarket Leader, Intermediate” 36

FIGURES

Figure 1: Circumstances determining choice of strategies 15

tipure 2: Siratepies to minimize risk o losing fae o0 +~.158

Figure 3: The frequency of occurrence of politeness strategies in conversational

aclivities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate”

Vigure 4: ‘The frequency of bald-on-request strategy in terms of

in conversations of “Market Leader, Intermediate” so

Figure 7: The frequency of negative politeness strategies in terms of

Figure 8: Frequency of ocourrence of negative politeness strategies

an conversalions of “Market [.eader, Indermediale” 36

vũ

3.3, Suggestions for further study - - eee AB

APPENDIX

ABSTRACT

When people from different cullures using different languages communuicale to each other,

there exists the possibility of miscommunication In order to avoid misunderstanding and

culture shock, learners of foreign languages especially of English should know how to

behave properly in cach certain siluation Reing considered one of the key factors of successful cross-culture communication, politeness strategies are commonly used in daily

social interactions Therefore, the author conducts this study with the aims of invesligating

politeness strategies in conversational activities of the course book “Market Leader, Intermediate” (New edition) Her attempt is to help students at Hanoi University of

Business and Technology achieve success in communication in their future work

In the coursebook “Market Leader, Intermediate” most of conversational activities are disoussed and analysed mainly on politeness theories of Brown & Levinson and Nguyen Quang The research shows that the frequencies of politeness stratogics occurance in conversational activities of the material are not always the same The findings show that

negative politeness strategies are employed more frequently than positive politeness, bald-

on-record and off-rccord strategy Most politeness strategies are used in such conversational activities as making disagreements, agreements and requests

Tn addition, the author also suggests some recommendations thal might work in the Vietnamese context to improve the teaching and learning of verbal communication for students at [anoi University of Business and Technology.

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

viii

‘TABLE OF CONTEN DECLARATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT co so

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

6 Design of the study

PART LU: DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1, Speech Acts

1.1.1 Speech Acts and Speech Events

1.1.2 Classification of Speech Acts

1.1.2.4 Function-based Appraach

1.1.2.2 Structural-function Based Approach

1.2 Politeness theory

1 2 1, Notions of politemess theory

1.2.2 Conversational-maxim View on Politeness

portrission lo carry oul and complele lltis MLA thesis and lo use (he Department’

Secondly, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr Kiéu Thi Thu

Huomg, Vice-Dean of the English Faculty - Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam for ber

valuable comments, endless encouragement, kind guidance and correction

T also wish to acknowledge all the lecturers at the Post Graduate Department, University of Languages and International Studies whose lectures have enriched iny knowledge in many fields of linguistics as well as of daily life They are Prof Dr lloang Van Van, Prof Dr Lé

Hug Tién, Asoc Prof Dr V6 Dai Quang, Dr Lé Van Canh, Dr Nguyễn Huy Kỷ, Dr Ngồ Hữu Hoàng, Dr Ha Cam ‘Tam, Dr Huynh Anh Tuần

My sincere thanks go to say colleagues and friends at Hanoi University of Business and

Technology, who have constantly assisted me in completing the research:

Finally, I would not have been able to complete this work without the wholc-hearted

support and endless encouragement from my husband, our parents and our son

‘TABLE OF CONTEN DECLARATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT co so

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS

6 Design of the study

PART LU: DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER I: LITERATURE REVIEW

1.1, Speech Acts

1.1.1 Speech Acts and Speech Events

1.1.2 Classification of Speech Acts

1.1.2.4 Function-based Appraach

1.1.2.2 Structural-function Based Approach

1.2 Politeness theory

1 2 1, Notions of politemess theory

1.2.2 Conversational-maxim View on Politeness