Notes Toward a Systemic Functional Model of (Im)politeness
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17851/2237-2083.34.2.267-299Palavras-chave:
politeness, impoliteness, Systemic Functional Linguistics, context, sociopragmaticsResumo
Grounded in Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL – Halliday, 1978; Matthiessen; Teruya, 2024), this paper discusses the systemic functional modeling of politeness and impoliteness phenomena (e.g., Brown; Levinson, 1987; Leech, 2014; Culpeper, 2011). Although (im)politeness is frequently cited as a central interpersonal element for modeling the relationship between language and context, to date there has been no comprehensive systemic functional model of the phenomenon that details its implications for contextual, semantic, and lexicogrammatical selections. Methodologically, the paper is based on a staged procedure involving review, metatranslation, and analytical testing. Combined with a set of criteria for descriptive adequacy, this procedure seeks to produce descriptions that are consistent, explicit, analytically useful, and empirically grounded. As a result, we argue that a systemic functional modeling of (im)politeness allows for a stratified and metafunctionally oriented treatment of the phenomenon. More specifically, the model construes (im)politeness as a fundamentally interpersonal phenomenon, characterized by realizational alignments across contextual (e.g., we propose a contextual system of politeness role as part of tenor, since (im)politeness is emically interpreted as an attribute of the interactant), semantic (e.g., positive [im]politeness often involves attitudinal meanings concerning the addressee, thus relating to the system of attitude), and lexicogrammatical configurations (e.g., specifying different strategies of [im]politeness in terms of mood, modal assessment and person). We hope that such a model will not only enrich SFL and facilitate its dialogue with other theories of the language–context interface, but above all make explicit elements that, although relevant, may remain unnoticed in other approaches.
Referências
ANDERSSON, M. ‘So Many “Virologists” in This Thread!’: Impoliteness in Facebook Discussions of the Management of the Pandemic of Covid-19 in Sweden – The Tension Between Conformity and Distinction. Pragmatics, v. 32, n. 4, p. 489-517, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.21014.and. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/prag.21014.and
BROWN, P.; LEVINSON, S. C. Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1987. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511813085
CHARLES, A.; HARE-DUKE, L.; NUDDS, H.; FRANKLIN, D.; LLEWELLYN-BEARDSLEY, J.; RENNICK-EGGLESTONE, S. et al. Typology of Content Warnings and Trigger Warnings: Systematic Review. PLoS ONE, v. 17, n. 5, p. e0266722, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266722
CULPEPER, J. Impoliteness and Hate Speech: Compare and Contrast. Journal of Pragmatics, v. 179, p. 4-11, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2021.04.019
CULPEPER, J. Impoliteness: Using Language to Cause Offence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511975752
CULPEPER, J. Towards an Anatomy of Impoliteness. Journal of Pragmatics, v. 25, n. 3, p. 349-367, 1996. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-2166(95)00014-3
DAVIS, C.; JANG, H. A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Morpho-syntax of an Anti-honorific Prefix in Korean. In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 61-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-003
FARHAT, T. C. Uma descrição contextual do gênero “carta aberta”. Linha D’Água, v. 37, n. 4, p. 275-297, 2024. DOI: 10.11606/issn.2236-4242.v37i4p275-297. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2236-4242.v37i4p275-297
FARHAT, T. C. Uma nova descrição sistêmico-funcional das relações interactanciais [A new systemic functional description of tenor]. 491 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Letras) – Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2025.
FARHAT, T. C.; GONÇALVES-SEGUNDO, P. R. Rethinking Social Distance as a System: Foundations and Descriptions. Domínios de Lingu@gem, v. 19, p. e019062, 2025. DOI: 10.14393/DLv19a2025-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14393/DLv19a2025-62
FIGUEREDO, G. Interpersonal Grammar in Brazilian Portuguese. In: MARTIN, J. R.; QUIROZ, B.; FIGUEREDO, G. (ed.). Interpersonal Grammar: Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory and Description. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021. p. 191-226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108663120.007
FIGUEREDO, G. P. Introdução ao perfil metafuncional do português brasileiro: contribuições para os estudos multilíngues. 2011. Tese (Doutorado em Linguística Aplicada) – Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, 2011.
FINKBEINER, R. Wehe ‘woe’ + verb-second Conditional Clause in German: A Conventionalized Threat Construction? In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 179-214. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-006
GALINDO, A. C.; GONÇALVES-SEGUNDO, P. R. Polêmica e desacordo entre leitores de jornal on-line: um procedimento de análise para caracterizar a violência verbal. Revista de Estudos do Discurso, n. 15, p. 105-135, 2024. DOI: 10.21747/21833958/red15a4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21747/21833958/red15a4
GARCÉS-CONEJOS BLITVICH, P.; SIFIANOU, M. (Im)politeness and Identity. In: CULPEPER, J.; HAUGH, M.; KÁDÁR, D. (ed.). The Palgrave Handbook of Linguistic (Im)Politeness. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017. p. 227-256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-37508-7_10
GOFFMAN, E. Interaction Ritual: Essays on Face-to-face Behavior. New York: Pantheon Books, 1967.
GONÇALVES-SEGUNDO, P. R. Tradição, estabilidade e dinamicidade nas práticas discursivas: um estudo da negociação intersubjetiva na imprensa paulistana. Tese (Doutorado em Filologia e Língua Portuguesa) – Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, 2011.
HALLIDAY, M. A. K. Language as Social Semiotic: The social Interpretation of Language and Meaning. London: Hodder Arnold, 1978.
HALLIDAY, M. A. K. Methods – Techniques – Problems. In: HALLIDAY, M. A. K.; WEBSTER, J. (ed.). Continuum Companion to Systemic Functional Linguistics. London: Continuum International, 2009. p. 59-86.
HALLIDAY, M. A. K. Modes of Meaning and Modes of Expression: Types of Grammatical Structure and Their Determination by Different Semantic Functions. In: HALLIDAY, M. A. K. On grammar. London; New York: Continuum, 2002. p. 196-218.
HALLIDAY, M. A. K.; MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. Construing Experience Through Meaning: A Language-Based Approach to Cognition. London: Continuum, 2006.
HALLIDAY, M. A. K.; MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar. 4. ed. New York; London: Routledge, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203783771
HASAN, R. Choice, System, Realisation: Describing Language as Meaning Potential. In: FONTAINE, L.; BARTLETT, T.; O’GRADY, G. (ed.). Systemic Functional Linguistics: Exploring Choice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. p. 269-299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139583077.018
HASAN, R. Tenor: Rethinking Interactant Relations. Language, Context and Text, [S. l.], v. 2, n. 2, p. 213-333, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/langct.00029.has
HASAN, R. Towards a Paradigmatic Description of Context: Systems, Metafunctions, and Semantics. Functional Linguistics, v. 1, n. 1, p. 1-54, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40554-014-0009-y
HELMBRECHT, J. Politeness Distinctions in Second Person Pronouns. In: LENZ, F. (ed.). Deictic Conceptualisation of Space, Time and Person. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2003. p. 185-202. (Pragmatics and Beyond New Series). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.112.10hel
KHOSRAVI, Mohadese; BABAII, Esmat. Reply Articles: Where Impoliteness and Judgment Coincide. Journal of Politeness Research, v. 13, n. 1, p. 143-167, 2017. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pr-2015-0020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/pr-2015-0020
KIM, M. et al. Korean Grammar: A Systemic Functional Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009019941
LEECH, G. Principles of Pragmatics. Londres: Longman, 1983.
LEECH, G. The Pragmatics of Politeness. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195341386.001.0001
MARTIN, J. R. English Text: System and Structure. Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 1992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/z.59
MARTIN, J. R. Systemic Functional Grammar: A Next Step Into the Theory – Axial Relations. Beijing: Higher Education Press, 2013.
MARTIN, J. R.; WHITE, P. The Language of Evaluation: Appraisal in English. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230511910
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. “(Im)politeness Studies” Viewed in Terms of SFL. Notes on Systemic Functional Linguistic Theory, Description and Analysis. 2017. Available at: https://xianlinguist.wordpress.com/2017/12/25/. Accessed on: Oct. 24, 2024.
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. et al. Systemic Functional Insights on Language and Linguistics. Singapore: Springer, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8713-6
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. Modelling Context and Register: The Long-term Project of Registerial Cartography. Letras, Santa Maria, v. 25, n. 50, p. 15-90, 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5902/2176148520205
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. System in Systemic Functional Linguistics: A System-based Theory of Language. Sheffield: Equinox, 2022.
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M.; TERUYA, K. Systemic Functional Linguistics: A Complete Guide. London: Routledge, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315675718
MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M.; TERUYA, K.; LAM, M. Key Terms in Systemic Functional Linguistics. London; New York: Continuum, 2010.
MATTIELLO, E. Impolite Suffixoids in English slang. In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 31-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-002
PATERNOSTER, A. Che ti venga NP, a Conventionalised Impoliteness Formula for Italian Disease Curses (14th–20th century). In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 129-178. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-005
POYNTON, C. Language and Gender: Making the Difference. 2. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989.
POYNTON, C. M. Address and the Semiotics of Social Relations: a Systemic-Functional Account of Address Forms and Practices in Australian English. 1990. PhD Thesis (Linguistics) – University of Sydney, Sydney, 1990.
PRAKASAM, V. Metafunctional Profile of the Grammar of Telugu. In: CAFFAREL, A.; MARTIN, J. R.; MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. (ed.). Language Typology: A Functional Perspective. Amsterdam; Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 2004. p. 433-478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.253.10pra
QUEISSER, A.; PLEYER, M. Such an Impoliteness: Evidence for the ‘Evaluative Such Construction’. In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 253-282. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-008
RASO, T.; MELLO, H. (org.). C-oral-Brasil I: corpus de referência do português brasileiro falado informal. Belo Horizonte: Editora UFMG, 2012.
SANTAMARÍA-GARCÍA, C. Emotional and Educational Consequences of (Im)politeness in Teacher–student Interaction at Higher Education. Corpus Pragmatics, v. 1, p. 233-255, 2017. DOI: 10.1007/s41701-017-0010-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41701-017-0010-2
SANTAMARÍA-GARCÍA, C. Evaluative discourse and politeness in university students’ communication through social networking sites. In: THOMPSON, G.; ALBA-JUEZ, L. (ed.). Evaluation in Context. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2014. p. 387-411. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/pbns.242.19san
STEINER, E.; TEICH, E. Metafunctional Profile of the Grammar of German. In: CAFFAREL, A.; MARTIN, J. R.; MATTHIESSEN, C. M. I. M. (ed.). Language Typology: A Functional Perspective. Amsterdam; Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 2004. p. 139-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.253.05ste
TRAVAGLIA, L. C. O discursivo no uso do pretérito imperfeito do indicativo no português. Cadernos de Estudos Linguísticos, Campinas, n. 12, p. 61-98, 1987.
TURUNEN, V. J. A reversão da relevância: aspectos semânticos e pragmáticos de formações diminutivas no português do Brasil. 2009. 194 f. Tese (Doutorado em Linguística) – Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 2009.
VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084
VAN OLMEN, D.; ANDERSSON, M. Conventionalized Impoliteness in English and Polish: The Case of ‘you idiot!’. In: VAN OLMEN, D. et al. (ed.). The Grammar of Impoliteness. Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter Mouton, 2025. p. 283-306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111477084-009
WOLFSON, N. The Bulge: A Theory of Speech Behavior and Social Distance. Working Papers in Educational Linguistics, v. 2, n. 1, p. 55-83, 1986.
