Expressions Of Politeness And Gratitude: Towards A General Theory

The book acquaints the readers with the notions of politeness and Gratitude. Some basic principles are set out which are seen to motivate the use of expressions of politeness and Gratitude in various social situations in Hindi-Urdu speech community. A set of conditions is postulated which characterise these expressions. The theory in general, not only clarifies politeness and Gratitude but it also distinguishes between the two by way of the set of condition which characterise each of the two concepts. 1. Theoretical study of the notions of politeness and Gratitude 2. Empirical study of the verbalisation of the expression of politeness and Gratitude in the urban, educated Hindi-Urdu speech community 3. Empirical evidence to support the arguments presented 4. Lucid and clear style It will serve as a practical guide to researches in clarifying the notions of politeness and gratitude, understanding the difference between the two and in understanding some of the basic principles which motivate polite expressions.