Skomakar'n wrote:Apparently, but what is it?
Is this the kind of thing you mean? Here is something I wrote up demonstrating through example the reasons why we carefully chose our words to meet the situation rather than using the exact same default words for every conceivable situation:
1. "It’d be cool if you could move up one."
- the use of conditional form with
if makes the content of the request hypothetical rather than actual
- the request is rephrased into a statement of fact
Both of these techniques serve to obscure the speaker’s desire and expectation for the fulfilment of the proposition, and thus reduce the commitment on the part of the addressee to submit to it. Additionally, the deference shown by the speaker through these two techniques encourages reciprocal deference on the part of the addressee in submitting to the proposition.
- Use of the informal
cool
- Use of the spoken, non-literary
it’d
Using more informal language serves as an attempt to bridge the social gap between speaker and addressee and to build solidarity, with the expectation that the addressee is more likely to submit to the proposition of someone with whom they have a closer social relationship.
2. "Piss off."
- use of direct imperative without
please
- use of the confrontational phrase
piss off
The lack of deferential language and use of confrontational language demonstrates a wish for the addressee to recognize the speaker’s strong desire to avoid interaction, in the hopes that the addressee will choose to end an unpleasant situation rather than prolonging it. Also, the lack of additional explanation emphasizes the speaker’s urgency.
3. "Would it be OK if I handed my assignment in next uh, Monday?"
- use of conditional form with
if makes the content of the request hypothetical rather than actual.
As in the first example, this obscures the speaker’s desire and expectation for the proposition to be fulfilled, and thus lowers the commitment on the part of the addressee to submit to it, and again, the deference shown by the speaker encourages reciprocal deference on the part of the addressee in submitting to the proposition.
- the embedded question avoids directly requesting the intended proposition
- use of hesitation marker
uh before the most important word to show a lack of confidence or a fear of saying the word
Both of these techniques show the speaker’s recognition that the request is in some sense not appropriate or not likely to be fulfilled. By demonstrating an understanding of the low likelihood of fulfilment, it is implied that the speaker does not make the request frivolously, and subsequently implies that there must therefore be a good reason for making the request, encouraging the addressee to submit to the proposition.
Most of this stuff is both spoken and heard subconsciously.
