THE VARIABILITY OF LINGUISTIC POLITENESS

Abstract

Politeness is a universal concept present in all languages and cultures. Despite the
universality of the general concept of politeness, linguistic politeness is a different concept
with its own distinct features related to both language and culture. The aim of this paper
is to raise the awareness for the variability of linguistic politeness and its influence on the
communicative competence of learners of English as a foreign language. The paper gives a
thorough explanation on the difference between politeness as a behavioural trait and linguistic
politeness by a theoretical overview of the development of linguistic politeness in English and
some of the most influential linguistic approaches to this multiplex concept. Furthermore, it
shows the culture-based variety of linguistic politeness in other languages and cultures and
consequently emphasizes its influence on EFL learners with different cultural backgrounds
and its importance for EFL teachers as well.