基于礼貌原则的《老友记》对话分析

基于礼貌原则的《老友记》对话分析IIIChapterOneIntroduction1.1SocialBackgroundandSocialStatusinFriendsInthe1990s,NBCtelevisionusedalight-heartedFriendstodominatetheworldfornearlytenyears,killingcountlessdollars,andbecomingthekingofsoapoperasintheheartsofallpeoplearoundtheworld.Friendsissetin1990sManhattanandalmostallofittakesplaceinacafeandadilapidatedapartmentintheWestVillage.Afterthe1990s,aneweconomycharacterizedbyglobalizationandinformationtechnologyemergedintheUnitedStates,andtheAmericaneconomywasfurtherdeveloped.Itwasinthe1990sthatFriendswascreated.OnSeptember22,1994,FriendsairedonNBCandlastedfortenyears,becomingoneofthemosticonicsitcomsofitstime.Forafulldecade,thesitcomreflectedthechangesandlimitationsofthetimesandestablisheditsstatusasanationalAmericandrama.ForChineseaudiences,FriendshasservedasbothatextbookforlearningAmericanEnglishandawindowintotheAmericanwayoflifeandAmericanculture.1.2CharacterIntroductionandPlotIntroductioninFriendsFriendsisaclassicAmericansitcom.Theshowtakessixoldfriendslivinginthesameapartment,namelyMonica,Rachel,Ross,Chandler,JoeyandPhoebe,asthemaincharacters,andtellsvariousstoriesthathappenedbetweenthesixofthemintenyears.Whilelaughingoutloud,peoplecanalsoexperiencethewarmthandlovebetweenthesixpeople,whichisverytouching.Sixtwenty-something,slightlyawkwardanduninitiatedyoungpeople,eachwiththeirownweaknessesandflaws—Rossisastubborn,pedanticbutlovelypaleontologist.Heloveslife,heloveshisfriendsandfamily,butsometimeshiswordsanddeedsarenotmatureenough.Rachelisarichdaughter,inordertoescapemarriagetotheclassmateandboudoirhoneyfriendMonica,thusbecomesamemberofFriends.Atfirst,shewashardtoadapttoherownindependentlife.Chandlerstrikesmanypeopleasamanofgreathumor,mainlybecausehisparentsdivorcedwhenhewasveryyoungandexperiencedarelativelyunhappychildhood.Healwaystriestocoveruphisinneruneasinessandnervousness,buthisjokesoftenmakepeoplealittleunaware,andsometimeshewillsaysomethingthatisnotsurprising.Monicaisthecluecharacterinthewholestory.Inasense,thesixpeoplearebroughttogetherbecauseofher.Rossishisbrother,Rachelisherclassmateandbestfriend,Phoebeusedtobeherroommate,ChandlerisoriginallyMonica'sclassmateandlaterbecomesherhusband,andJoeyrentsahouserightacrossthestreetfromher.Iftherearewordstodescribeher,afewareessential:competitive,slightlyneurotic,perfectionist,andloveskitchenwork.Phoebe'scharactercanmakepeoplesmilejustthinkingaboutit.Hermindisalwayssojumpy,it'salmostasifit'salittleoutoftheblue.Thereissomuchthatisdifferentabouther,herGod-awful,originalsongswithsomescarylyricsandtunes,andeventhewayshedressesandsaysandacts.Joeyisasimple,kind,straightforwardandfrankboy,butsometimesgivespeoplethefeelingoftalkingwithoutthinking,Joeyhasalwaysdreamedofbecomingasuccessfulactor,butthevastmajorityofsomeunachievable,alwaysactinginsomerunningscenes.Ontheonehand,theircharactertraitsarethesourceofallthelaughs;ontheotherhand,alltheyoungpeople,alwaysintheseblandlittlecharacters,seetheirownshadow.Theearlytwentiesarereallyacontinuationofaperiodofadolescencewhenitisimpossibletolivewithfamilyandformanewfamilyatthesametime.Someofthemrunawayfromtheirfamilies,somefromtheirmarriages,andsomefromtheirbadrelationships.Inthisjourneytowardstrueindependence,friendsfillinandreplacefamily,becomingthepillarofallemotionalneeds,whetherinthefictionalscreenorinreallife,thosesingleyoungpeoplewhoenterthebigcitytowork,theonlyonetheycanrelyonisundoubtedlyfriends.Theyoftengetlostintheirwork,lifeandemotionalrelationships,butnomatterwhatkindofdifficultiestheyencounter,theyseemtohavenothingtoworryaboutbecausetheirfriendsarealwaysthere.ChapterTwoTheoreticalBasis2.1TheDefinitionofPolitenessPrincipleIninterpersonalcommunication,peoplearewillingtofindasuitablewayofexpression,sothatbothpartiesfeelthecommunicationispleasant.Politebehaviorcanbefoundeverywhere.Incross-culturalcommunication,politetermsaremorelikelytobeused.Forexample,“please”,“thankyouverymuch”,“howareyou”,“sorry”,etc.Thesepolitewordscanmaketheotherpartyfeelrespected,makethecommunicationpartiesmorehappy,pullintotherelationshipbetweenthetwosides,andpromotetheconclusionofcommunication.Leech,afamousBritishlinguist,believedthatineverycommunicationdialogue,speakersandlistenersshouldmaximizepolitenessandminimizeimpoliteexpression.Thisinterpersonalstrategyisimportanttoimproveinterpersonalrelationships.In1983,LeechdefinedPolitenessPrinciplesastryingtominimizeimpoliteideasinthesamesituation.Itstopprincipleisforthespeakertoexpressorimplyinformationthatvaluesothers.PolitenessPrinciplesisaconstraintonthespeaker,whichincludespolitewordsandpolitebeliefs.InhisbookPrinciplesofPragmatics,LeechpresentedwhathecalledPolitenessPrinciplestoexplainhowpolitenessfunctionsinconversationalcommunication,indicatingthecompetenceoftheparticipants.Leech’sPolitenessPrinciplesisthemaintheoryofthisstudyandanimportantruleininterpersonalcommunication.Thisprincipleisanimportanttheoryinthefieldofpragmatics.2.2ClassificationandFunctionofPolitenessPrincipleLeechproposedthePolitenessPrinciplesin1983.Amongthem,PolitenessPrinciplesincludessixguidelines,andtheyaretheTactMaxim,theGenerosityMaxim,theApprobationMaxim,theModestyMaxim,theAgreementMaximandtheSympathyMaxim.ThespecificinterpretationofeachcriterionofLeech'scourtesyprincipleisasfollows.TactMaximisthefirstpolitenessmaximofLeech’sPolitenessPrinciples.Itisahearer-orientedorother-centeredmaxim.TactMaximrequiresthespeakertominimizepointsofviewthataredetrimentaltoothersandmaximizepointsofviewthatarebeneficialtoothers,thatis,totrytomakeotherssufferlessandbenefitmore.GenerosityMaximrequiresthatthespeakertrytobenefithimselforherselfaslittleaspossibleandsufferasmuchaspossible.Thusitisaself-centeredmaxim.ApprobationMaximreferstotheverbalcommunicationbehaviortotrytoavoidbelittlingorinsultingtheotherparty,butshouldbemorepraiseeachother.Therefore,itisaother-centeredmaximinLeech’sPolitenessPrinciple.AccordingtoLeech,thefamouslinguist,ModestyMaximreferstotryingtoremainhumbleintheprocessofverbalcommunication.Thatistosay,itisaself-centeredmaxim.AgreementMaximrequiresthespeakertominimizedisagreementandmaximizecommongroundwithothersonpointsofview.AccordingtoLeech,SympathyMaximmeansthatbothpartiesshouldreducetheemotionalconfrontationwitheachotherandtrytoincreasesympathyandunderstandingbetweenthem.ChapterThreeDialogueAnalysisofFriendsBasedonPolitenessPrinciple3.1AnalysisofDialoguesFollowingPolitenessPrincipleinFriendsLeach'sPolitenessPrinciplesexplainsthatpeopleadoptindirectspeechactsasawayforpeopletosaveface,remainpolite,andfacilitatecommunication.Ingeneral,expressionsthatfollowLeach'sPolitenessPrinciplesmakepeoplemorecomfortable.Inthissection,theauthorwillspecificallyanalyzethedialoguesofthecharactersinFriendswiththecontextualfactorsoftheplayandbasedonLeach'ssixguidelinestointerprettheimplementationandapplicationoffollowingPolitenessPrinciplesinthedialogueofFriends.3.1.1DialogueAnalysisofJoeyFollowingtheModestyMaximTheModestyMaximisawayofdeterminingpolitenessfromthespeaker'sstartingpoint.Followingthecodeofhumilityinvolvesreducingpraiseforoneselfandhavingahumbleattitude.Chandler:No,wait!Wemaynotknowaboutradiators...butwedohaveexpertiseintheheatingandcoolingmilieu.Joey:Aren’tweinthemiddleofsomething?Chandler:Yes,butthesewomenareveryhot.,andtheyneedourhelp.Andthey’reveryhot!Joey:Wecan’t,allright?We‘resorry.Youhavenoideahowsorry.Butwepromisedtofindthismonkey.Ifyouseehim...Soifwecouldgetpicturesofyou,it’dhelpusout.Generallyspeaking,fewpeopleacceptthatpeopletalkinfrontofthemselves.Onthecontrary,themodestandimplicitstatementsaremoreappealingtothepublic.AccordingtotheModestyMaxim,incommunication,thespeakershouldtrytopraisehimselflessandbelittlehimselfmore.ChandlerandJoeywerehelpingRossfindamonkeywhentheymettwohotgirlswithhotbodies.Thegirlswantedthemtostayandhelpedherfixtheradiator,butJoeyturnedthegirldown.JoeyandChandlerobviouslyknewhowtofixradiators,butJoeystilltoldthegirlthathecouldn'tfixradiatorsandapologizedtothegirl.BecauseJoeywantedtohelpRossfindthemonkey,heturnedthegirldown.Joeyhadanabilitytorepairtheradiatorbutsaidhecouldnot,denyinghisownabilityandreducinghisownpraise.Joey'sattitudewasalsoverymodest.Facedwiththegirl'sinvitation,Joeydidnotrejectthegirldirectly,butchosetodisparagehimselfbysayingthathewouldnotrepairtheradiatortorejectthegirlindirectly,whichreflectstheModestyMaximinPolitenessPrinciples.3.1.2DialogueAnalysisofChandlerFollowingtheApprobationMaximFromthelistener'spointofview,themaximofapprovaldeterminespoliteness.FollowingtheApprobationMaxim,itrequireslessput-downsandmorecompliments.Rachel:Areyoukidding?Imtrainedfornothing!Iwaslaughedoutoftwelveinterviewstoday.Chandler:Andyetyouresurprisinglyupbeat.Rachel:Ohh,well,youwouldbetooifyoufoundJohnandDavidbootsonsale,fiftypercentoff!Chandler:Oh,howwellyouknowme…RachelisarichgirlwhohascometojoinherformerclassmateMonicainordertoescapehermarriage.Shehadbeenspoiledsinceshewasachildandhasdifficultyadjustingtolivingonherown,butthistimeshehadtoworkhardtofindajobandearnmoneytosupportherself.Chandler,asRachel'sbestfriend,notonlydidnotridiculeherandscoldedherforbeingridiculedbythe12interviews,butalsopraisedheroptimisticandpositiveattitude.ChandlersaidRachelwasveryupbeat,minimizingRachel'sderogatorycommentswhilealsoavoidingRachel'sembarrassment.Chandlerreplaceduncomfortablewordswithcomplimentarywords"surprisinglyupbeat",thuspreservingRachel'sfaceandachievingthegoalofcomfortingRachel.ThisallowedRacheltomaintainherself-confidenceandtojokewithChandler,producingahumorouseffect.Chandler'sbehaviorofminimizingRachel'sdisparagementandmaximizingherpraiseperfectlyembodiedtheApprobationMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.3.1.3DialogueAnalysisofRachelFollowingtheSympathyMaximTheSympathyMaximreferstoreducingtheemotionaloppositionbetweenoneselfandothers.Thisincludestwosub-rules,oneistominimizemutualresentmentandtheotheristomaximizemutualsympathy.Rechal:Ifeelsostupid!Ithinkabouttheotherdaywithyouguys.AndIwasall,“Oh,Paolo!Heissogreat!Hemakesmefeelso.”God!Iamsoembarrassed!Phoebe:Iamsoembarrassed.Iamtheonehehiton.Iunleashedhimonyou.Rechal:IfIhadnevermethimRechal:Iamsosorry.Iamsorry.Phoebe:No,Iamsorry.Iamsorry.Wait.TheSympathyMaximisinemphasizingtheneedtominimizeemotionalconfrontationindailyinteractions.AsafriendofRachel,facedwithherboyfriendmolestedherbestfriendPhoebethismatter,inordertopreventPhoebefeelremorse,Racheldidnotblameher,butgavePhoebeanapologyandexpressedgreatunderstandingaboutit.RachelputherselfinPhoebe'sview,andexpressedsympathyforthesadPhoebe,reducingtheemotionalconfrontationbetweenthetwo.Intheplay,Phoebewasobviouslystrange,butherheartwasarguablythekindest.Rachel,ontheotherhand,wasportrayedasareasonablegirl.Intheend,bothgaveeachotherapologies,savingPhoebe'sfaceandpromotingfriendshipbetweenthetwo,andRachel'sapproachfollowedtheSympathyMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.3.1.4DialogueAnalysisofMonicaFollowingtheGenerosityMaximTheGenerosityMaximisjudgedfromthepointofviewofthespeaker.Inconversation,thespeakermustexpresslessself-interestedviews,benefitinghimselflessandhurtinghimmore.(1)Phoebe:Roger’shavingadinnerthing.Hewantedmetoinviteyouguys.Phoebe:So,What’sgoingon?Monical:Nothing.It’sjustIt’sRoger,youknow?Ross:There’ssometingaboutChandler:Wejustfeelthathe’sRechal:Wehatethatguy!Wehatehim!Intheaboveexample,atthistimeRogerwasRachel'sboyfriend,butRogerwouldalwaystalkaboutotherpeople'sshortcomings.FacedwithRoger'sinvitationtodinnerforeveryone,everyone'sattitudewasobviouslyreluctant,butnoonesaidit.ThisshowedthateveryonedoesnotwanttomaketheirfriendRachelsad.WhenRachelexpressedherdoubtsabouteveryone'sattitude,Monicajustvaguelypassedanddidnotsayherrealidea.Everyone'sattitudewasclearlyreluctanttogo,butMonicadidn’tsayso,choosinginsteadtoletRachelbenefitmoreandmakeherselfsuffermore.MonicawasRachel'sbestfriend,shedidnotwanttoupsetRachel,soshedidnotsayno,butjustsaid"nothing".Monicaactedlesstoexpressaviewpointthatwasbeneficialtoher,butrathertobenefitRachel.Monicawassupposedtobeakindandaccommodatingcharactertoherfriendsintheplay.Monica'swordsreducedtheexpressionofself-servingviewsandbenefitRachel,followingtheGenerosityMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.(2)Joey:Hey!Chandler:Hey!Onceyouareinside,youdidnothavetoknockanymore.Monical:Iwillgetit.Intheaboveexample,therewasaknockonthedoorjustasJoeyentered,sohedidnotwanttoanswerthedoor.However,ChandlerwaspresentbutchosetoflirtwithJoeyandsaidwithJoeythathedidn'thavetoopenthedooroncehecamein.Monica,whowaspresent,heardtheconversationbetweenthetwoandlearnedthatneitherwantedtoanswerthedoor.Therefore,Monicachosetoanswerthedoor.AccordingtotheGenerosityMaximinPolitenessPrinciple,speakersshouldminimizetheirowninterestsandtrytomaximizethebenefittoothers.AtthispointMonica'sactofopeningthedoorminimizedherownbenefitandreducedtheexpressionofviewsthatwerefavorabletoher.Atthesametime,JoeyandChandlerdidnotneedtoreturnthesamewaytoopenthedoor,andMonica'sactionsbenefitedJoeyandChandlerevenmore.ItwasobviousthatMonica'sactionfollowedtheGenerosityMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.3.2AnalysisofDialoguesViolatingPolitenessPrincipleinFriendsExpressionsthatviolateLeech'sPolitenessPrincipleareoftenlessacceptable.Inactuallifeinteractions,theabilitytouseimpolitediscourseforinterpersonalcommunicationalsorequiresconsiderationofthespecificcontext,thecommunicator'scommunicativeintent,thepersonandtheculturalbackground,andotherfactors.ThissectionwillexplaintheimplementationandapplicationofdialogueagainstthepolitenessprincipleinFriendsbasedonPolitenessPrinciple.3.2.1DialogueAnalysisofRoseViolatingtheTactMaximTheTactMaximmeanstoreducetheexpressionofopinionsthataredetrimentaltoothersandtrytomakethelistenersufferlessandbenefitmore.(1)Ross:Hey,Inoticeyou’rereadingthepaper.AnotherfloodinEurope,huh?Girls:…Ross:Here’saquestion:wouldyouratherdrownorbeburnedalive?Girls:I’msorry,we’rejustleaving.Intheabovescenario,Rosshadleftthetwowomenspeechlessbystrikingupaconversationinaflirtatioustone.Becausenormalpeopleshouldfeelbadaboutanaturaldisasterlikeafloodandexpresssympathyforthevictims.ButRoss'slight-hearted,jokingtonemadeitseemlikehe'sdisrespectfulanddetractedfromotherpeople'spointsofviewtobenefithimselfmore.TheconsequencesofRoss'swordswerethedepartureofthetwowomenandtheinterruptionoftheconversation.Ross'squestion"Wouldyouratherbedrownedorburnedtodeath?"maximizedhisowninterestsandmaximizingthedisadvantageofothers,whichwasaclearviolationoftheTactMaxim.(2)Ross:Rech,didyouproofreadthese?Rechal:Yeah.Why?Ross:Nothing.I’msurethey’llbeimpressedwithyourexcellent“computer”skills.Rechal:Oh,myGod!Doyouthinkitisonallofthem?Fromtheaboveconversation,itwasclearthatRachelwaspreparingforajobsearch,andRosssawtheproblemsinRachel'sresume.RosspolitelyaskedRachelifshehadproofreadherresume,andRachelansweredintheaffirmative.TheTactMaximofPolitenessPrinciplerequiredthatspeakersshouldspeakinawaythatminimizespointsthatweredetrimentaltoothersandtriedtomakemorepointsthatwerebeneficialtoothers.AsRachel'sbestfriend,RossshouldhavetoldRachelabouttheproblemswithherresumeandhelpedhercorrectthemtogether.Butinsteadofdoingthat,RossteasedRachelaboutherexcellentcomputerskillsinadifferentway.Ross'swordsweresarcasticaboutRachel'scomputerskills,andhisbehaviorwasrudeandviolatedtheTactMaximofPolitenessPrinciple.Butinfact,thiskindofspeechinnormallanguagecommunicationoftenoccurs,usuallyinacloserrelationshipcontext.AlthoughRoss'swordsmightseemimpolite,theydidnotaffecthisrelationshipwithRachelasagoodfriend.Atthesametime,Ross'sviolationoftheTactMaximalsoinadvertentlyproducedahumorouseffect,whichattractedtheaudience'sattentionevenmore.(3)Monical:Ross.You’vegottodosomethingaboutthehumping.Ross:What?It’sjustaphase.Chandler:Well,that’swhatwesaidaboutJoey.Ross:Wouldyouallrelax?It’snotthatbigadeal.Fromtheaboveconversation,Ross'smonkeywasalwaysbreakingormessingupeveryone'sstuff.TheTactMaximofPolitenessPrinciplerequiresthespeakertominimizepointsthataredetrimentaltoothersandtrytoincreasepointsthatarebeneficialtoothers.Ross,aseveryone'sfriend,shouldapologizeandmakeamendswitheveryone,asrequiredbytheTactMaxim.Onthecontrary,Rossdidnotfeelashamedanddidnotconsideritaveryseriousmatter.Rossdidnotputhimselfineveryone'sview,causingotherstosufferandpreservinghisowninterests.Ross'swayofspeakingandbehaviorviolatedtheTactMaximofPolitenessPrincipleandledtotheinterlocutor'sresentment,thusbreakingthecommunication.3.2.2DialogueAnalysisofPhoebeViolatingtheGenerosityMaxim(1)Chandler:Idon’tknow.ButIwon’tfigureitoutworkingthere.Phoebe:Ihavesomethingyoucando!...andhe’slookingforaheadchef.Monical:Hi,there.Phoebe:Hi.Iknow.YouareachefandIthoughtofyoufirst.ButChandler’stheonewhoneedsajobrightnow,so...Chandler:Ijustdon’thavealotofchefingexperience...Monical:Whatishelookingfor?Phoebe:Hewantstodosomethingeclectic...so,whatdoyouthink?(ToChandler)Chandler:Thanks.Ijustdon’tseemyselfinabig,whitehat.Phoebe:Oh,Monical!Guesswhat?Monica'spositionintheshowwasthatofacookandhelovestocooktoo.Intheaboveexample,MonicawaslookingforanewjobatthesametimeasoneofPhoebe'sfriendswashiringacook.AsMonica'sgoodfriend,PhoebeshouldbethefirsttointroducethejobtoMonica,butPhoebewasintroducingthejobtoChandler,whowasnotinterestedinchef.AccordingtotheGenerosityMaximofPolitenessPrinciple,PhoebeshouldhaveintroducedthejobtoMonica,thusmaximizingMonica'sbenefit.ButPhoebehadneglectedMonicaandfailingtodosowithrespect.Fromhere,readerscanseethatPhoebe'sbehaviorcompletelyviolatedtheGenerosityMaximofPolitenessPrinciple.(2)Chandler:No,sheisstillupsetbecauseIsawherboobies.Ross:Whatwereyoudoingseeingherboodies.Chandler:Itwasanaccident.Iwasn’tacrossthestreetwithatelescope.Rechal:Canyouchangethesubject,please?Phoebe:Yeah.Thesearenotherboobies.Theseareherbreasts.Beforetheaboveconversationtookplace,ChandleraccidentallysawRachel'sbreasts.ThisincidentcausedRacheltoholdagrudge,whichledtothisconversation.Intheaboveconversation,ChandlershowedthereasonwhyRacheldidnotwanttotalktohim,andexplainedthatheonlysawtheboobsandnotthechest.EveryonethoughtitwasfunnyandstartedteasingChandler.Rachel,whowasonthesidelines,feltawkwardandsuggestedthatshewantedtochangethesubjectsoastodiverteveryone'sattentiontoavoidembarrassment.AccordingtotheGenerosityMaximofPolitenessPrinciple,speakersshouldtrytobenefitthemselvesaslittleaspossibleandothersasmuchaspossible.AsRachel'sbestfriend,everyonewassupposedtogoalongwithRachel'sideatosaveRachel'sfaceandthenchangedthesubject.However,Phoebedidnotdoso,butcontinuedtotalkaboutit.WhenreceivingRachel'srequest,itwasactuallyrudeofPhoebetousethisapproach,whichallowedPhoebetogainmoreforherselfandRacheltolosemore.Thus,Phoebe'sbehaviorviolatedtheGenerosityMaximofPolitenessPrinciple,andalsomakestheatmosphereawkward.3.2.3DialogueAnalysisofChandlerViolatingtheAgreementMaximTheAgreementMaximistoreducetheinconsistencybetweenoneselfandothersinthedialogue.(1)Joey:HowdoIlook?Chandler:Idon’tcare.JoeydressedhimselfwellandasedChandlertoaccompanyhimonadate.JoeythoughtheisveryhandsomeandconfidentlyasksChandlerhowhelookstoday.JoeyconfidentlyexpectedChandlertogivehimacoupleofcompliments,buttheAgreementMaximwasbrokenbyChandler's"Idon'tcare.”ChandlerhadnotansweredJoeypositively,butinsteadmadeitclearthathedidnotcare.Chandler'swordsincreasedthedisagreementwithJoeyanddecreasedtheagreementwithJoey'spointofview.ChandlerdidnotcareabouthowJoeydresses,whichalsomadetheatmosphereawkward,whileallowingtheaudiencetoenjoyChandler'ssardonichumorandfeltthepleasureofverbalhumor.Obviously,Chandler'sbehaviorviolatedtheAgreementMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.(2)Chandler:IsleavingChristmaslightsupyourplantokeepusmerryallyearlong?Monical:No,someonewassupposedtotakethemdownbutobviouslysomeoneforgot.Fromtheabovedialogue,readerscouldseethatthesceneofthisdialogueshouldbeafterChristmas.ChandlersawthatthelightsusedtoholdChristmasintheapartmentwerestillhangingthere,anditwasobviousthatRachelhadforgottentoturnthemoff.AccordingtotheAgreementMaximinPolitenessPrinciple,thespeakershouldminimizethedifferencesbetweenthetwosidesoftheconversationandtrytoincreasetheunanimityoftheirviews.Chandler,asRachel'sbestfriend,shouldhaveremindedRacheltoturnoffthelightsorChandlershouldhavehelpedRachelturnoffthelights,butchosetoflirtwithRachelandaskedherifshewantedtocelebrateChristmasallyearround.Then,RachelgaveChandleradismissivelook.Chandler'sbehaviordidnotreachconsensuswithRachelandpresentedadifferentpointofviewfromRachel.ThisalsocausedadisagreementbetweenChandlerandRachelintermsofviewpoints,whichviolatedtheAgreementMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.Atthesametime,Chandler'sbehavioralsomadetheplayachievecomediceffect.3.2.4DialogueAnalysisofJoeyViolatingtheModestyMaxim(1)Ross:Well,itlookslikewekickedyourbutts.Joey:Shedid.YoucouldbeontheOlympicStandingThereteam.Thisconversationtookplacewhenseveralpeoplewereplayingpooltogether.Accordingtothecodeofhumility,thespeakershouldtrytopraiseothersasmuchaspossibleandbelittlehimselfasmuchaspossible.Ineverydayinteractions,speakersshouldbemorelikelytopraiseothersandbelittleourselves.ButJoeyintheplaywassupposedtobeastraightforward,talkwithoutregardforthefeelingsofothers,andsometimeseasytomakejokes.Atthispoint,eventhoughRosewasreallybadattheball,JoeyasafriendshouldsaysomethingencouragingtoRoseinsteadofjustputtingdownRoseandlaughingathisgame.Joey'swordswereclearlymoredisparagingtoRosetobenefithimselfmore.Clearly,Joey'sactionsviolatedtheModestyMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.(2)Chandler:Whereyoubeen?Joey:Riff’s.IthinkUrsulalikesme.Iorderedcoffee.Shebroughtmeatunameltandfourplatesofcurlyfries.TheaboveconversationtookplaceafterJoeyreturnedfromhisdatewithUrsula.ChandlerinitiatedtheconversationbyaskingJoeywherehewent,andJoeysaidthatUrsulalikedhimjustbecauseJoeyonlyorderedacupofcoffeeonthedate,butUrsulaservedJoeysomethingelse.TheModestyMaximinPolitenessPrinciplerequiredspeakerstopraisethemselvesaslittleaspossibleinthecourseofcommunication,buttobehumbleandgivemorerespecttothespeaker.Atthesametime,theModestyMaximwasalsoanimportantruleandmeanstomaintaintheharmoniousdevelopmentofdiscourse-communicativerelationship.JoeythoughtthatUrsulalikedhim,sohepraisedandaffirmedhimself.JoeybelievedthatUrsulabroughthimmoreotherdishesbecausehewasattractedbyhischarm.However,Ursuladidnotindicatewhatshemeant,ormaybeshejustmisreadthemenu.InfrontofChandler,Joeyshouldhavedemeanedhimselfmoreandhadahumbleattitude,yethedidn'tdoso.Joey'sbehaviorclearlyviolatedtheModestyMaximinPolitenessPrinciple.ChapterFourTheRevelationofUsingPolitenessPrincipleinFriends4.1ReasonableFollowofPolitenessPrincipleThesixguidelinesofPolitenessPrinciplearetheprinciplesthatspeakersandlistenersshouldfollowonbothsidesofinterpersonalcommunication.Atthesametime,thesixrulesoperateinconjunctionwitheachother,interconnectingandconstrainingeachother.FollowingtherulesofPolitenessPrinciplereasonablyisoftenconsideredtobothpreservetheequalityofstatusofbothpartiestoaconversationandtoproducehumor.Ingeneral,followingtherulesofPolitenessPrinciplereasonablycanbeagoodwaytogettheotherparty'sgoodwillandatthesametimemaintaintheotherparty'sface.Byfollo