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

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.