Politeness, Time Constraints, and Collaboration in Decision-Making Meetings: A Case Study

Abstract

Relatively little is known about the politeness strategies used by technical communicators and designers in group settings, particularly in the decision-making, collaborative meetings of a real-world, naturally occurring group. This study explores the degree to which members of a well-established group linguistically express concern for their fellow collaborators and how that concern may be affected by the type and imminence of their deadlines.

Notes

In actuality, Brown and Levinson give a fifth strategy of not speaking the request at all.

Henceforth, all discussions of “substrategies” will include the bald, on- record strategy as well.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erin Friess

Erin Friess is an assistant professor of technical communication at the University of North Texas. Her research explores discursive strategies and user-centered design processes in workplace settings.