Mastering Communication: Cooperation, Courtesy, and Literary Language
General Features of Literary Language
The features that generally characterize the language of literature or literary use of language are:
· Plurisignification. Linguistic signs, along with its intellectual meaning, convey multiple emotional meanings.
· Connotation. Faced with the denotative value that words take on other types of literary text and language, the effect constantly creates estrangement associated values. The author selects the terms for its suggestive power and not just the denotative meaning.
· Desautomatización and diversion. Faced with the automated use of plain language, literary language allows continuous innovations that make sense in the creative context, with an aesthetic purpose and calling attention to language itself.
Damaso Alonso highlights the effectiveness of literary aesthetics in the ability to detour through rhetorical procedures with respect to natural language.
• The literary language attaches great importance to what you mean: the sound texture of words and phrases and rhythmic suggestions are important elements of literary art.
Cooperation and Courtesy in Communication
The Principle of Cooperation
The principle of cooperation is developed in a series of rules called conversational maxims, which speakers must take into account:
• Amount: Be as informative as required by the conversation.
• Quality: Do not say something that is false or for which the evidence is not sufficient. This rule is violated when the meaning of what is said does not correspond with the literal wording of the phrase, as when speaking ironically (Bonita task I’ve done!), or using metaphors or tropes (Your teeth are pearls), or hyperbole (He is the handsomest man in the world).
- Relevance: Do not say something irrelevant, i.e., do not provide information unrelated to what is being said. There is a transgression of this rule when introducing information from outside the incidental conversation or changing the subject abruptly.
- Clarity: Speech should be clear, brief, and orderly, without ambiguity and without trying to obscure the speech. Therefore, this rule is violated when we talk at length or in a way that is not easily understood.
The Principle of Courtesy
Even though we do not have universal standards of courtesy, this is an important means to achieve communicative success because it ensures a good relationship between the speakers and harmonizes their interests.
Courtesy, as the beginning of the conversation, depends on several factors:
- The speech act being carried out: courtesy facilitates actions (such as inviting or congratulating), others require careful use of it (for example, sending or asking), and others threaten the principle of comity (which is what happens when accusing, quarreling, or cursing someone).
- Situational factors such as the relationship between those involved in the conversation (boss-employee, known or unknown) or the degree of familiarity.
The Conflict Between Cooperation and Courtesy
In normal situations, there is always the possibility to graduate the way courtesy of the speaker can then perform various purposes:
• Openly express intention: Close the window! Is an order and requires compliance from the listener; failure to comply would lead to open conflict with the one who has given it.
• Openly express their intention, but assuming the cooperation of the listener (Honey, close the window, please), with which it is to establish a relationship of familiarity and avoid any conflicts.
• To express their intent without impositions, leaving open the possibility that there is reason given for not complying: Would you mind closing the door? Indirect forms are used (Do you mind telling me the time, please?), avoiding personal opinions (They say the Treasury Bills are a good investment) or are used to requests for permission.
- Indicate their intention not directly, which corresponds in many cases to indirect acts.
- Offered options: permit rejection of them, and such a rejection would lead to a conflict with who makes the offer. Thus, Maybe we could watch TV or if you prefer, we were reading the book is to propose a refined way to watch television, giving another option.