A Pragmatic Analysis of Negative Politeness Strategies in the Discourses of Cricketers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out the negative politeness strategies used by former Pakistani cricketers in their media statements in reference to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan cricket. Based on Brown and Levinson's (1987) politeness theory, this study seeks to find the preferred negative politeness strategies used by the cricketers in their press conferences, YouTube interviews, and media appearances. Data collection was performed using qualitative approach namely observation and textual analysis from the online news and video media. The data was gathered from 20 previously playing Pakistan cricketers' 80 statements. Of the 10 negative politeness strategies found, the cricketers preferred to use eight of them: Hedging; Impersonalizing Speaker and Hearer; Stating the FTA as a General Rule; Giving Deference; Being Indirect; Being Pessimistic; Minimizing Imposition; and Apologizing. Hedging, Impersonalization and Stating the FTA as a General Rule were the three most common strategies. The strategies enabled the cricketers to attack the policies, selection and deficiencies of PCB and protect the dignity of its officials, and hence to keep the harmony without facing the current officials directly. Future research is recommended in this study to explore the positive politeness strategies which cricketers could adopt in other contexts like a team huddling, social media interactions and post-match celebrations.