Evaluation of the variables of paralinguistic/sociolinguistics that leads to the use of politeness forms in interactional/conversational English of undergraduates among the undergraduates of Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

This research paper examined the variables of paralinguistic/sociolinguistics that leads to the use of politeness forms in interactional/conversational English of undergraduates and how student(s) utilize politeness strategies to acknowledge others face wants among the undergraduates of Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. This was analysed using 400 level students of the departments of Theatre and Film Studies, Religion and Human Relations and English Language and Literature of Faculty of Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Using Brown and Levinson theory of politeness, the researcher used participant observation and tape recording as a source of data collection through random sampling. The data were analyzed using qualitative approach. The study also revealed that bald-on record strategies are mostly used with friends and mates and that the “face†of students are threatened in conversations between friends and lecturers. It is also discovered that students put into consideration paralinguistic variables like age, status, rank (of imposition) which help in determining the right address terms to use. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the studentsshould be familiar with the different politeness strategies and apply them appropriately, in improving interpersonal relationships and also be the watchword at all times in order to have successful conversations.