Politeness strategies in mass media communication: A comparative analysis of Slovak and American talk shows

Abstract

The paper introduces preliminary findings achieved in the research on politeness strategies in mass media communication. The presented analysis focuses on the positive and negative politeness strategies as employed by the host and other interactants in a talk show. The main assumption which underlies the analysis is the fact that all participants coming to the show are willing to co-operate. At the same time, the fact that the "nature" of a talk show works against the politeness principle is equally intriguing. The latter assumption enhances the use of particular politeness strategies with specific purposes. The aim is to analyse and illustrate these strategies as related to interaction between all participants of a show.