Intercultural Politeness

It is increasingly important in our globalised world for people to successfully manage interpersonal relationships. This is the first book to tackle this vital topic, by taking an interdisciplinary approach to exploring the process of relating across cultures. Drawing together key concepts from politeness theory, intercultural communication, and cross-cultural/intercultural psychology, it provides a robust framework for analysing and understanding intercultural encounters. It explores the ways in which individuals make judgements about others, deal with offence and conflict, maintain smooth relations, and build new relationships. These processes are explained conceptually and illustrated extensively with authentic intercultural examples and empirical data. With accessible explanations and follow-up activities, it will appeal not only to academics working in the areas of intercultural communication, pragmatic theory, conflict research and other related academic disciplines, but also to students of these topics, as well as professionals such as intercultural trainers and those working in the third sector.

'With a firm focus on the negotiation of relationships in context, Helen Spencer-Oatey and Daniel Kadar provide an immensely useful discussion of theory, methodology, and applications in intercultural research on politeness. Their analyses draw on their extensive research experience and are illuminated by data from a wide range of sources, making this an engaging text which researchers, practitioners and students will find stimulating.' Janet Holmes, Emeritus Professor of Linguistics, Victoria University of Wellington

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