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A Discourse analysis study of politeness strategies used by Captain Nathan Algren and Mori Katsumoto in "The Last Samurai"

Politeness is crucial in interpersonal and intercultural communication
because different culture may speak different features of politeness. Considering
the importance of politeness strategies in a conversation and how to use those
strategies, the writer wanted to find out what types of politeness strategies
produced by two characters that have different cultural background and see either
the similarities or the differences. In this case, the writer preferred to analyze the
utterances expressed by the two main male characters, Captain Nathan Algren and
Mori Katsumoto in the film "The Last Samurai". The data were analyzed and
classified based on the theories of politeness strategies proposed by Scollon &
Scollon (2001). Based on the result of the analysis the writer found out that
Algren uses more Involvement politeness strategies, while Katsumoto uses more
the Independence one. On one side, Algren tends to apply Involvement politeness
strategies, which are solidarity oriented to satisfy Katsumoto?s positive face, since
he was influenced by American politeness. From the ten features of Involvement
politeness strategies, Algren applies nine features, but the frequently used features
are claim common point of view, opinions, attitudes, knowledge and empathy;
notice or attend to the hearer; and be optimistic. On the other hand, Katsumoto
tends to use Independence politeness strategies, which are formality oriented to
satisfy Algren?s negative face that is his intentions to be free from being imposed,
since he was influenced by Japanese politeness. From the ten features of
Independence politeness strategies, Katsumoto applies seven features and the
frequently used features are state a general rule, be pessimistic, and make minimal
assumptions about hearer's wants. From the findings, it can be concluded that
both characters, Algren and Katsumoto, used all of the politeness strategies, which
were Involvement politeness strategies and Independence politeness strategies.
Algren tended to use Involvement politeness strategies since he was influenced by
American politeness. Algren gave less concern about the social status and power
relationship between him and Katsumoto. Whereas Katsumoto tended to use
Independence politeness strategies since he was influenced by Japanese
politeness, Katsumoto still concern about social status and power relationship.

Creator(s)
  • (11400142) MARIA EVA AVIANTI
Contributor(s)
  • Lisa Setiawati Nugraha → Advisor 1
  • MEEDY NUGRAHA → Examination Committee 1
Publisher
Universitas Kristen Petra; 2005
Language
English
Category
s1 – Undergraduate Thesis
Sub Category
Skripsi/Undergraduate Thesis
Source
Undergraduate Thesis No.02011334/ING/2004; Maria Eva Avianti (11400142)
Subject(s)
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE-DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE-SOCIAL ASPECTS
  • LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS (LINGUISTICS)
File(s)

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