Conceptualizing Linguistic Politeness in Light of Age

Abstract

The role of age in determining speakers’ politeness strategy is a crucial aspect of language use, and this paper examines the politeness phenomena in the Luwu Tae’ language.This study used a descriptive quantitative approach and a newly developed social relation symmetry model to collect data from 15 respondents and investigate how age influences the use of politeness strategies. The study found that when interacting with older interlocutors, speakers tend to use a more deferential variety and employ a negative politeness strategy. However, when speaking with people of their own age, speakers tend to use a more informal style and employ a positive politeness technique. These findings suggest that age is a significant factor in determining politeness strategies among the Luwu Tae’ language ethnic groups, with the local wisdom of treating everyone with respect and behaving nicely being a key factor passed down from generation to generation. Age has become an important social variable of power influencing politeness techniques in the region.

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