Joke as a Strategy of Positive Politeness in American Interview Discourse

This article focuses on joke as the strategy of positive politeness in American interview discourse. Positive politeness is connected with the expression of solidarity and the assurance of the interlocutor that he is a dear man and friend, and his aspirations and personal qualities are accepted and shared by the speaker. Positive politeness strategies are employed for reducing the threat or harm done to the positive face of the hearer. It is achieved with the help of the statement that the speaker shares the values, aspirations, personal qualities or achievements of his interlocutor. P. Brown and S. Levinson distinguish 15 strategies of positive politeness, one of which is joke. Jokes help to make communication easier and more relaxed and bring the speaker and the hearer closer together as they are based on mutual shared background or experience. It unites the interviewer and the guest and consequently reduces the damage to their positive face.