An interesting and important topic in chapter 6, "Respecting
Identity and Protecting Face", brings the awareness to the effects of
communication on identity. Trenholm
explains that our identity or "Face" is who we "try to be when
we are with other people". (p.138) It explained in this topic that we feel
threatened "whenever people criticized or disagree with us" (positive
face), and "whenever others impose on our autonomy" (negative face). Once we understand and respect the identity
of others, we can communicate more effectively. When people are threatened they
get in a defended mood and focus their attention on protecting themselves
(their identity) rather than openly listening and evaluating other ideas and
opinion.
Although I always felt that to be polite is a choice that
makes life more pleasant, still, it is interesting to learn that politeness "is
more than a social nicety. It is a way of acknowledging others' identities and
saving face."
I really liked your interesting topic for this chapter. I do believe that communication can affect your identity. As Trenholm explains that our face is who we try to be with other people, we all are different to everyone we come into contact with. The way I communicate with my friends is not the way I would communicate with my parentals or strangers.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that when we can understand and respect the identity of other people that then we can hold an effect conversation. I agree with how you said that politeness represents more than a social nicety.
I also found this particular section on respecting identities and saving faces to be extremely interesting. The ways in which we attempt to present ourselves in the company of others is an ever changing dynamic. Social interaction is fraught with the dilemmas of how a person will be perceived or judged around others. Many times you will pick and choose your words differently around different groups of people due to your comfort level and how you feel someone would interpret and judge the meaning behind what you say. Trenholm’s explanation of the positive and negative face provides a deeper level of understanding to the process of respecting another person’s identity.
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