Is there a need for a maxim of politeness?

Abstract

In this article two arguments are given in support of a maxim of politeness. The first argument is that assuming a maxim is part of the best explanation of polite behaviour, considering the problems, which Brown and Levinson's theory and Fraser and Nolen's conversational contract theory have, and which a maxim-based theory does not have. The second argument is that the maxim of politeness is part of rational conversation among potentially aggressive parties. This leads to a new Gricean theory of politeness: the maxim of politeness is seen as an additional conversational maxim under the Cooperative Principle in rational conversations among potentially aggressive parties. The content of the maxim is then determined face-theoretically, incorporating some of Brown and Levinson's ideas into the Gricean theory.