Showing papers on "Face (sociological concept) published in 1992"

Cross-Cultural Pragmatics: The Semantics of Human Interaction

Abstract: This book challenges the approaches to human interaction based on supposedly universal 'maxims of conversation' and 'principles of politeness,' which fly in the face of reality as experienced by millions of people crossing language boundaries (refugees, immigrants, etc.) and which cannot help in the practical tasks of cross-cultural communication and education. In contrast to such approaches, this book is both theoretical and practical: it shows that in different societies, norms of human interaction are different and reflect different cultural attitudes and values; and it offers a framework within which different cultural norms and different ways of speaking can be effectively explored, explained, and taught. The book discusses data from a wide range of languages and it shows that the meanings expressed in human interaction and the different 'cultural scripts' prevailing in different speech communities can be clearly and intelligibly described and compared by using a 'natural semantic metalanguage,' based on empirically established universal human concepts. As the book shows, this metalanguage can be used as a basis for teaching successful cross-cultural communication, including the teaching of languages in a cultural context.

The Linguistic Realization of Face Management: Implications for Language Production and Comprehension, Person Perception, and Cross-Cultural Communication

Abstract: Goffan's concepts of face and face-work have been used by researchers in recent years to explain the interpersonal underpinnings of language use. Most notable in this regard is the research of Brown and Levinson, whose theory of politeness has stimulated considerable research on this topic. By operationalizing face-work in terms of specific linguistic strategies and by linking face concerns with the major interpersonal dimensions of social interaction, this research has led to theoretical advances in explaining how speakers will phrase their remarks

Reputation Risk Management

Abstract: Valuing reputation reputation = public perception what are the risks? the bottom line of RRM how important is it? at the coal face - goalkeepers not just goalstoppers whose responsibility is it? the bones of the RRM programme and risk assessment revisited eliminating risk at the coal face - issue managemnent within an international context time - the crucial element preparation and early action the basis for action the escalating crisis the full-blooded crisis at the coal face - state of alert! the crisis management team the crisis manual at the coal face - the Cambridge Veterinary School campaign equipment for crisis management information and decision aids at the coal face - product recalls medial relations in crisis research and feedback testing and training for crisis at the coal face - tests, trials and tribulations the role of consultants lawyers and other experts at the coal face - crisis planning - common sense or defeatism? advertising the culpable company RRM as the company conscience putting it all together.

The Two “Faces” of Self and Society in Japan

Abstract: The Japanese self is commonly discussed as contextual, or "relational" (Araki 1973), defined in interaction with others. This "relational" self is preeminently social, so that human beings are consistently described as "always . .. existing in a network of human relationships" (Nakamura 1967:192), "identified as acting in some kind of human relationship, never autonomously" (Smith 1983:49). Moreover, fluidity, or the ability to shift communication appropriately over a wide range of situational modes, is regarded as an essential aspect of self (Bachnik 1989; Doi 1986; Lebra 1976; Kondo 1987; Rosenberger 1988; Smith 1983; Tobin 1988). In fact, characteristics such as "relational," "social," and "situational" tie a "shifting" self closely to a "shifting" social organization. Smith's (1983) depiction of Japanese society as "organic" specifies that participants are part of the social order and, furthermore, that they actively constitute this order, rather than passively "reading" it like actors on stage following a script. Smith also relates social order closely to emotional aspects of the self: "codes of conduct in Japan [have] a major component of relativity and flexibility, for [their] other face is human feelings or compassion" (1983:47). This specifies that self and society are linked in practice by codes of conduct [giri and ninjoo] with two "faces," one social, the other emotional. Japanese operate by shifting between

“Ourselves among others”: A new metaphor for business and technical writing

Abstract: Business and technical writing grows out of a need to “build bridges” between ourselves and others. With today's diversifying readerships and increasingly global marketplace, business and industry face a new challenge that is reshaping our conception of business/technical writing and the metaphors of the genre. The metaphors of “selling” and “reader‐centeredness” demand especially to be recast and subordinated to a new metaphor of interculturalism/ internationalism—"ourselves among others.” Grounded in a social theory of language and communication, this new metaphor signifies that “bridge‐building” across differences will be the key in contexts becoming at once more heterogeneous and global.

The Acceptable Face of Human Grieving? The Clergy's Role in Managing Emotional Expression during Funerals:

Abstract: The needs of bereaved people have become a theoretical and practical focus among the members of groups such as counsellors, clergy, academics, doctors and social workers, many of whom share the view that the unmet needs of bereaved people can bring difficulties in grieving and therefore in readjustment. While death ritual in non-Western societies often provides an important rite of passage, both for the surviving family and the deceased, many contemporary Western funerals appear not to play so central a role within the social and emotional re-orientation of people who are bereaved. This chapter explores material gathered during a study of the approach to Christian funerals common among Sheffield clergy and their congregations. It argues that if clergy seek to help bereaved people to engage in grieving, this goal may be at odds with conventional approaches to the funeral in the West. 'Uncontrolled' emotional expression is seen by clergy as something difficult to accommodate when they are proceeding with a structured liturgy. When the dominant Western beliefs or metaphors of emotion are examined, it becomes apparent that emotion is commonly understood to be a natural and uncontrollable entity which is contained within the body, a model which underpins the views expressed by clergy during interviews. The therapeutic 'release' of emotion is therefore desired as a way of avoiding the dangers of 'pent up' feelings. However, what interview material reveals is a paradox which stems from the dominance of this model of human emotion. As natural forces, contained within the body, emotions are feared to be potentially unmanageable within the context of highly structured Western funerary ritual, in that they are understood to be unamenable to control. These beliefs about the nature of emotion are questioned through comparison with other

The Role of Dress Codes, Uniforms in Urban Schools:

Abstract: Administrators in large urban schools today often face problems relating to student appearance and attire. Are dress codes or uniforms the solution? These writers consider the implica tions of that...

Dichotomy in the Structures of Honorifics of Japanese

Abstract: In discussing the strategies of politeness, Brown and lrvinson (1978) claim that treating "the respect for face as norms or values subscribed to by members of a society" (p. 67) is a basic human desire. It seems that all languages have strategies to satisfy this basic human desire. According to Brown & Irvinson, one of the politeness strategies is the use of impersonal constructions, that is, agentless constructions such as passives as in (1). Such impersonal constructions could lead to the assumption that the speaker linguistically indicates his politeness by avoiding expressions which could be interpreted as imposition. Other impersonal constructions involve: dative-agent deletion, as in (2); use of modals with deletion of pronouns to remove traces of person in verbal agreement, as in (3); use of "stativephrasing", i.e. intransitive verbs instead of transitive verbs, as in (a) @rown & Irvinson 1978: 197-L98); and conditionals, as in (5).

Visual display units and facial rashes.

Abstract: The Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) for the UK is in Swansea and has 3500 employees, the majority working in offices on one site .. Approximately half spend an average of more than 2 h a day working at VDUs and this we termed being a VDU operator. In August 1990, a brief questionnaire \"Skin problems in office workers\" was distributed to all DVLA employees. An introductory statement was deliber-· ately vague: The Dermatology Department in Singleton Hospital are carrying out a survey into skin problems and are inviting staff at the Authority to take part. Confidentiality was emphasised and feedback promised. The questions fell into 3 groups: demographic; occupational; and dermatological, plus site, symptoms and appearance of affected skin. All questions were answerable by \"yes\" or \"no\". Questions as to VDU use were \"hidden\" within other occupational questions, to conceal the aim of the study. Completed questionnaires were requested within a month, to be returned to the on-site medical officer in the envelope provided.

Rhetoric and paradox in scientific revolutions

Abstract: In this paper we argue that scientists intending to be revolutionary face certain rhetorical constraints. These constraints contain contradictory requirements, forcing a rhetorical paradox on the would‐be revolutionaries. We examine the nature of this paradox and the available resolutions to it.

The role of epistemic modality in english politeness strategies

Abstract: The number of recent linguistics works on politeness has given evidence that this feature accounts for the way language is used to a greater extent than it would seem at first sight. This paper will prove the pervasive influence of politeness on epistemic modality, that is, the kind of modality which concerns judgements about the truth of the propositional content of an utterance. I shall adopt Brown and Levinson's (1987) approach to politeness strategies in terms of 'face', 'positive politeness'and 'negative politeness' -notions which will be made clear in the paper. The most obvious conclusions drawn from this analysis are 1) that expressions of uncertainty are used as politeness strategies both in directives (to soften the speaker's imposition on the hearer), and in statements (to avoid full commitment to the truth of the proposition); and 2) that expressions which emphasize the speaker's certainty about the truth of the proposition tend to highlight the speaker's concern about the hearer's wishes or interests. Nevertheless, this analysis does not exclude other frequent patterns of the use of epistemic expressions as politeness devices, such as the cases of apologies, answers to invitations, and contradictions.

The impact of rural-urban migration on a village music culture: some implications for applied ethnomusicology

Abstract: Rural-urban migration, which is becoming a unique phenomenon in developing countries, constitutes a special challenge in ethnomusicology. Consequently materials, methods, and theory building in ethnomusicology are now being forced to "face the music" in urban areas. It is therefore my purpose to provide a detailed aspect of how rural-urban migration affects musical practice in a particular village in Ghana; and, second, to address specific problems derived from the village situation; and, finally, to explore how a more favourable situation could be created through the implementation of a suggested program of action from the perspective of applied ethnomusicology.

Model into artist: The changing face of art historical biography

Abstract: (1992). Model into artist: The changing face of art historical biography. Women's Studies: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 17-41.

Managing Violence against Women in the Face of Unequal Gender Power Relations: A review of recent feminist accounts of violence in families

Abstract: s of papers are required before 15 September 1992. Any area of family research (including family history and trends, family life, policies, support programs and family law) can be offered. No one theme will be set for the conference, but papers accepted for presentation will be grouped into themes. People are invited to organise a symposium on topics of special interest to broaden the impact of the conference. Anyone interested should provide an outline of the topic and a list of presenters. Australian Institute of Family Studies 300 Queen Street, Melbourne. 3000 Tel: (03) 606 6888 Fax: (03) 600 0886 36 The National Children's Bureau of Australia