Irony in politeness theories was at first considered as a tool to save the face of the
addressee, but later research challenged this view as will be shown in this paper. The use of
irony can easily become a tightrope walk for the speaker between being friendly and funny or
being rude and offending. Irony can also be challenging for the addressee, if a situation is ambiguous and if he or she therefore must find out how a remark is meant to be understood.
Since irony is an indirect way of saying what one is thinking it often leads to
misunderstandings or awkward situations. However, irony might also be used very well
directed and purposeful. For instance, irony is often used when criticizing someone and can in this case fulfill either the function of enhancing or reducing the criticism. Some researchers, however, disagree about the function of irony in this context. Is irony now a face-saving tool or does it help to attack face? What are the determining factors to decide this, if at all such factors can be found? How do different researchers understand the function of irony in politeness theories, and can some similarities between the different approaches be found?
These are questions that shall be answered in this paper. The politeness theories of Brown and Levinson (1987) and Leech (1991) will provide a basis for these considerations and will be complemented by newer surveys. In spite of the different statements made by various researchers in their theories and surveys, irony seems to not only have a face-saving function. When sarcasm is understood as a subordinate form of irony then irony can be used very well to also attack face.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Irony and Sarcasm
- 3 Politeness: Face-Saving and Face-Threatening
- 4 The Interaction of Politeness and Irony
- 4.1 Mock Politeness
- 4.2 Mock Impoliteness
- 4.3 Ironic Criticism and Ironic Compliments
- 5 Analysis of Two Example Dialogues
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the complex relationship between irony and politeness, examining how irony can be used to either enhance or mitigate face-threatening acts. It investigates the varying interpretations of irony's role in politeness theories, particularly focusing on the distinction between its face-saving and face-attacking functions.
- The interplay between irony and politeness in communication.
- The different functions of irony: amusement, indirect communication, criticism.
- The distinction between irony and sarcasm, and their respective roles in politeness.
- Analysis of how irony can be used to either soften or intensify criticism.
- Examination of various politeness theories and their application to ironic utterances.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by establishing the central research question: how does irony interact with politeness? It highlights the dual nature of irony—its ability to amuse and its potential to be either polite or impolite—and introduces the key theoretical frameworks (Brown and Levinson, Leech) that will inform the analysis. The chapter emphasizes the ambiguity inherent in ironic utterances and the potential for misunderstanding, setting the context for a deeper exploration of irony's multifaceted role in communication. Examples of ironic statements in everyday contexts are used to illustrate the initial concept of irony's ambiguous nature.
2 Irony and Sarcasm: This chapter delves into the definitions and historical usage of "irony" and "sarcasm," tracing their etymological roots and highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding their precise meanings. It distinguishes between irony as a figure of speech involving a contrast between literal and intended meaning, and sarcasm as a specific type of irony characterized by mocking intent and criticism. The chapter reviews various scholarly perspectives on the use and understanding of irony and sarcasm, emphasizing the divergence of opinions regarding irony's role in politeness theory. Examples are provided to illustrate the differences and overlaps between these two closely related concepts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Politeness, irony, sarcasm, face-threatening acts, face-saving, indirect communication, communication strategies, pragmatic analysis, Brown and Levinson, Leech.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Irony and Politeness
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper explores the complex relationship between irony and politeness in communication. It investigates how irony can be used to either enhance or mitigate face-threatening acts, examining its potential for both politeness and impoliteness.
What are the key themes addressed in the paper?
The key themes include the interplay between irony and politeness, the different functions of irony (amusement, indirect communication, criticism), the distinction between irony and sarcasm, how irony can soften or intensify criticism, and the application of various politeness theories to ironic utterances.
What is the paper's objective?
The paper aims to analyze the intricate relationship between irony and politeness, focusing on how irony's function can vary, sometimes being face-saving and other times face-threatening. It examines differing interpretations of irony's role within politeness theories.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon key theoretical frameworks developed by Brown and Levinson, and Leech, focusing on politeness theory and its application to the understanding of ironic communication.
How is irony defined and differentiated from sarcasm in the paper?
The paper delves into the definitions and historical usage of both "irony" and "sarcasm," distinguishing between irony as a broader figure of speech involving a contrast between literal and intended meaning, and sarcasm as a specific type of irony characterized by mocking intent and criticism.
What types of irony are discussed?
The paper discusses mock politeness, mock impoliteness, ironic criticism, and ironic compliments as specific examples of how irony interacts with politeness.
What kind of examples are used in the paper?
The paper uses examples of ironic statements in everyday contexts and analyzes two example dialogues to illustrate the concepts and theories discussed.
What are the chapter summaries?
Chapter 1 introduces the central research question and key theoretical frameworks. Chapter 2 defines and differentiates irony and sarcasm. Subsequent chapters delve into the interaction of politeness and irony (including mock politeness, impoliteness, and ironic compliments/criticism) and provide an analysis of example dialogues illustrating the concepts discussed.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include politeness, irony, sarcasm, face-threatening acts, face-saving, indirect communication, communication strategies, pragmatic analysis, Brown and Levinson, and Leech.
- Quote paper
- lic. phil. Yvonne Miller (Author), 2006, Irony and Politeness: Softening or Enhancing Face-Threats, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/124534
