Politeness Principles from Lakoff’s Perspective

Alan Ihsan Yaseen
Eman Khasro
Dlbar Hassan Ali
Mihraban Karokh Askander

Politeness Principle, as explained by the linguist Robin Lakoff, is a set of norms that govern the social interaction and communication. Lakoff suggests that these norms are based on societal expectations of the politeness and respectfulness. The principle emphasizes the importance of face-saving acts and avoiding impolite behavior. Lakoff notes that people use various linguistic strategies, such as indirectness and hedging, to convey politeness and maintain social harmony. This principle is especially relevant in situations where individuals may have different status, power, or social roles. Overall, the Politeness Principle highlights the importance of being considerate and respectful towards others in communication.