FACE AND FACEWORK IN PASHTO LANGUAGE

Abstract

Exploring phenomena of face and facework in the Pashto language, the research paper examines applicability of Brown and Levinson’s politeness theory to facework in the Pashto language for which a questionnaire survey of native Pashto speakers was conducted. The influences on facework caused by the effect of age and familiarity (power and distance) with the interlocutor were investigated. R (the cost of imposition) was kept constant in all the situations. It was found out that Pashto speakers orient to negative and positive face as proposed by Brown and Levenson in their politeness theory. Contra wise, off-the-record hint considered as the politest behavior is deemed rude in Pashto on politeness values. Pukhtoons do not use off-the-record hint as a way of polite expression.