Politeness

High school (ages 12+)
Everyday Life

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/politeness

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the sociolinguistic function?A strategic resource for managing social relationships and mitigating face-threatening acts
2. What is the cultural relativity?Politeness norms are culturally constructed and vary significantly across societies
3. Why is politeness like a superpower?Because it lets people talk without causing friction, keeps friendships strong, and helps groups work together. It shows respect for others’ feelings and status.
4. How can I be polite in different cultures?People in some places like being direct and honest, while others prefer gentle, indirect ways to keep face. Knowing the rules of the culture you’re in helps you choose the right polite style.

Face-Threatening Act (FTA): An action or utterance that inherently challenges the self-esteem or social standing of an individual.
Sociolinguistics: The study of language in relation to society, including how social factors influence language use.
Cultural Relativism: The principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture.