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Power and Politeness
in the Workplace
2nd Edition
Janet Holmes, Maria Stubbe
0-58-236877-4
Paperback
208 pages
2003
Brief Description
This book provides insights into the way we all talk at work. It contains a wealth of material illustrating the way people communicate with each other in their ordinary everyday encounters in the workplaces.
The analysis focusses on how and why people 'do' power and politeness in the workplace. It examines the strategies involved in balancing the demands of the workplace and maintaining good relationships with colleagues.
Drawing on a large and very varied corpus of data, the authors explore specific types of workplace talk, such as giving advice and instructions, solving problems, running meetings, making decisions and less obviously types of workpace talk such humour and small talk.
Features
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Avoids jargon and unnecessary technical language
- Analyses authentic work place talk, uses genuine spoken interaction.
- Not confined to one single rigid framework it draws on a range of theoretical approaches.
- Every concept and methodological approach is illustrated with excerpts of workplace talk.
Contents
1. POWER, POLITENESS AND THE WORKPLACE CONTEXT
Power, politeness and context
Power
Politeness
Context
The Wellington Language in the Workplace Project
Brief Outline of content of the book
Notes
2. FROM OFFICE TO PRODUCTION LINE: CONSTRUCTING A CORPUS OF WORKPLACE DATA
Designing a Method of Collecting Workplace Data
Collecting the Data
Conclusion
Notes
3. GETTING THINGS DONE AT WORK
Being Direct Downwards
Mitigation and Management Between Equals
Getting the Boss to Cooperate - requests and indirectives
Hints
Conclusion
Notes
4. WORKPLACE MEETINGS
Introduction
Types of Meetings
How are Meetings Structured?
Managing Interaction in Meetings
Doing Power and Politeness in Meetings: 2 case studies
Conclusion
Notes
5. SMALL TALK AND SOCIAL CHAT AT WORK
The Distribution of Social Talk in the Workplace
Social Functions of non-task orientated talk at Work
Conclusion
Notes
6. HUMOUR IN THE WORKPLACE
Functions of Humour in the Workplace
Humour and Workplace Culture
Conclusion
Notes
7. MISCOMMUNICATION AND PROBLEMATIC TALK AT WORK
Miscommunication
Negotiating with the Boss
Negotiating 'downwards'
Problems, Power and Partnership
Conclusion
Notes
8. CONCLUSION: SOME IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Introduction
Getting integrated at work
Reflection as a Learning Strategy for the Workplace
Conclusion
Notes
Copyright © Calvary University, 1998 All rights reserved.
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