ANALYZING BROWN AND LEVINSON'S POLITENESS THEORY

Abstract

This article attempts to explore the theory of politeness proposed by Brown and Levinson in 1978. It presents the thoughts about politeness theory according to so-called experienced linguists. Furthermore, the author contributes with her own cultural examples in relation to the theory. The article discusses Brown and Levinson’s special formula to calculate the weightiness of face-threatening acts which can be related to the specific religious, environmental, and gestural aspects of various speech communities.