Politeness theory

Politeness Theory is a framework introduced by sociolinguists Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson in their 1987 book "Politeness: Some Universals in Language Use." The theory seeks to explain how individuals manage social relationships and convey politeness in communication, particularly in face-to-face interactions. The key concepts of Politeness Theory include: 1. **Face**: This term refers to an individual's self-esteem or social identity that they wish to maintain in social interactions.