Toward a Performative Understanding of Politeness

Authors

  • C. Kyle Rudick University of Northern Iowa
  • Danielle Dick McGeough University of Northern Iowa

Keywords:

politeness theory, performativity, critical studies, face, facework

Abstract

In this article, we argue that critical communication scholars have largely overlooked the study of politeness as a constitutive component of identity, culture, and power. We offer a critical-performative framework for critical scholars interested in studying politeness as a political, discursive, and embodied act. To develop this agenda, we first outline Brown and Levinson’s postpositivist theory of politeness. We then review three challenges to their use of intentionality, Grice’s cooperative principle, and Goffman’s concept of face. These challenges are located in interactional, traditional critical, and discursive understandings of politeness (respectively). Next, we show how a performative understanding of politeness both encompasses the three challenges and offers a way to understand the role of politeness in identity formation. We conclude by suggesting that ethnographic methods, informed by performance ethnography, provide analytical tools consistent with a performative understanding of politeness.

Author Biographies

C. Kyle Rudick, University of Northern Iowa

C. Kyle Rudick (PhD, Southern Illinois University) is an assistant professor at the University of Northern Iowa. Please send inquiries concerning the manuscript to ckylerudick@mgial.com

Danielle Dick McGeough, University of Northern Iowa

Danielle Dick McGeough (PhD, Louisiana State University) is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Northern Iowa.

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Published

2019-06-30

Issue

Vol. 13 (2019)

Section

Articles

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