Miriam A. Locher Bücher

Exploring the dynamics of power and politeness, this study delves into how these elements manifest during disagreements in natural language interactions. It highlights the inherent conflict in disagreement and the ways politeness can mitigate tension, framing politeness as a form of relational work. By analyzing real-life communication, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between asserting power and maintaining civility in conversations.

This Element outlines current issues in the study of the pragmatics of fiction. It starts from the premise that fictional texts are complex and multi-layered communicative acts which deserve attention in pragmatic research in their own right, and it highlights the need to understand them and to explore pragmatic effects and pragmatic theorising.

The volume includes theoretical overviews as well as empirical studies from experts in a range of disciplines within linguistics and communication studies and provides a multifaceted perspective on both theoretical and applied approaches to the role of language in relational work.