- Each maxim is accompanied by a sub-maxim (between square brackets), which is of less importance. These support the idea that negative politeness (avoidance of discord) is more important than positive politeness (seeking concord).
- Not all of the maxims are equally important. For instance, tact influences what we say more powerfully than does generosity, while approbation is more important than modesty.
- Note also that speakers may adhere to more than one maxim of politeness at the same time. Often one maxim is on the forefront of the utterance, with a second maxim being invoked by implication.
- If politeness is not communicated, we can assume that the politeness attitude is absent.
The tact maxim
The
tact maxim states: "Minimize the expression of beliefs which imply cost to
other; maximize the expression of beliefs which imply benefit to other."
The first part of this maxim fits in with Brown and Levinson’s negative
politeness strategy of minimising the imposition, and the second part reflects
the positive politeness strategy of attending to the hearer's interests, wants,
and needs. For example:
- Could I interrupt you for a second?
- If I could just clarify this then.
The generosity maxim
Leech's
generosity maxim states: "Minimize the expression of beliefs that express
or imply benefit to self; maximize the expression of beliefs that express or
imply cost to self." Unlike the tact maxim, the maxim of generosity
focuses on the speaker, and says that others should be put first instead of the
self. For example:
- You relax and let me do the dishes.
- You must come and have dinner with us.
The approbation maxim
The
approbation maxim states: "Minimize the expression of beliefs which
express dispraise of other; maximize the expression of beliefs which express
approval of other." It is preferred to praise others and if this is
impossible, to sidestep the issue, to give some sort of minimal response
(possibly through the use of euphemisms), or to remain silent. The first part of
the maxim avoids disagreement; the second part intends to make other people
feel good by showing solidarity. For example:
- I heard you singing at the karaoke last night. It sounded like you were enjoying yourself!
- Gideon, I know you're a genius – would you know how to solve this math problem here?
The modesty maxim
The
maxim of modesty is one of the six maxims proposed by Leech (1983) in his PP
(politeness principle) meaning to minimize praise or to maximize dispraise of
self. The modesty maxim states: "Minimize the expression of praise of
self; maximize the expression of dispraise of self." For example:
- Oh, I'm so stupid – I didn't make a note of our lecture! Did you?
The agreement maxim
The
agreement maxim runs as follows: "Minimize the expression of disagreement
between self and other; maximize the expression of agreement between self and
other." It is in line with Brown and Levinson’s positive politeness
strategies of "seek agreement" and "avoid disagreement", to
which they attach great importance. However, it is not being claimed that
people totally avoid disagreement. It is simply observed that they are much
more direct in expressing agreement, rather than disagreement. For example:
- A: I don't want my daughter to do this, I want her to do that.
- B: Yes, but ma'am, I thought we resolved this already on your last visit.
The sympathy maxim
The
sympathy maxim states: "minimize antipathy between self and other;
maximize sympathy between the self and other." This includes a small group
of speech acts such as congratulation, commiseration, and expressing
condolences – all of which is in accordance with Brown and Levinson's positive
politeness strategy of attending to the hearer's interests, wants, and needs.
For example:
- I am sorry to hear about your father.
