Abstract
Proficiency in English politeness is an invaluable tool in maintaining effective communication. Differences in beliefs, culture and customs, values and norms exist between English and other languages. Non-native English speakers encounter difficulties when making apologies and greetings in the language. The research examined politeness of English and Tshivenda apologies and greetings. The research paper adopted a qualitative research approach designed to build a holistic narrative description concerning social or cultural phenomenon. Formal and informal interviews were carried out ethnographically to collect data from selected 15 historical experts at Phawe, Zoutpansberg in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were quantified, simplified, organised, and interpreted using an 'emic' approach because they were interpreted from the perspective of the population under study. The research found that some Vhavenda people could narrate stories around politeness in their society. The research recommends the continuous practice of apologies and greetings to preserve the Vhavenda culture and custom.
Highlights
All human beings need to communicate politely and effectively “all the time and in all situations” (Erasmus-Kritzinger, Bowler & Goliath, 2017:1)
As language is a tool for communication and interaction, politeness is a necessity in various propositions (Susanti et al, 2020)
After having examined the politeness theory among the Vhavenda people's culture and customs (Sibadela, 2002), values and norms, the researchers came up with the differences between English and Tshivenda apologies and greetings based on the two different cultural backgrounds of the native speakers of the two languages
Summary
All human beings need to communicate politely and effectively “all the time and in all situations” (Erasmus-Kritzinger, Bowler & Goliath, 2017:1). Values are the social rules or abstract concepts helping people in making right and wrong decisions They are the guidelines not based on information from the past. The current research is based on Rabie’s (2013) premise that: ‘The ideas, meanings, beliefs and values people learn as members of society determine human nature. Politeness entails the way utilised by humans to “confirm consciousness of the face of another individual” (Jabur, 2019:1) It highlights insightfulness in offering something, rejecting and thanking to share respective functions (Susanti et al, 2020) across cultures. The Vhavenda people think, feel and act differently since there are no mutual standards for considering one culture as above others
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