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Brown, P. and Levinson, S. (1978) Universals in Language Usage: Polite-ness Phenomena. In: Goody, E., Ed., Questions and Politeness, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 56-311.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Negative Politeness and Interpersonal Harmony—The Analysis of Request-Response in Family Discourse

  AUTHORS: Qi Wu

  KEYWORDS: Negative Politeness, Interpersonal Harmony, Family Discourse, Rapport Management Theory

  JOURNAL NAME: Open Access Library Journal, Vol.5 No.8, August 31, 2018

  ABSTRACT: This study aims to analyze negative politeness and interpersonal harmony in family discourse in verbal interactions between “son and mother”. Therefore, a pair of conversations which have the contrary effects (one is a failure and the other is a success) was analyzed. Based upon Spencer-Oatey’s Rapport Management Theory, the son’s request and his mother’s response were put into specific discussion. The results reveal that: 1) negative politeness can lead to an inharmonious or harmonious relationship and “affect” plays a unique role in maintaining interpersonal rapport; 2) the goal’s cost-benefit consideration and speaker’s perception/understanding/idea influence addressee’s response and addresser’s attainment of a request 3) the assertion of each other’s self-identity and right-obligation obviously enhances the tendency toward an establishment of harmonious relationship.