Handbook of Politeness and Impoliteness in Persian

This ground-breaking book offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted nature of politeness and impoliteness in Persian, shedding light on how these communicative strategies are deeply woven into the sociocultural fabric of Iranian society. Anchored in rigorous scholarship, it examines the ways in which Persian speakers manage face, navigate social hierarchies, and express solidarity or dissent through language. From the ritualized and often paradoxical practice of ta'rof to subtle pragmatic cues that signal respect, resistance, or relational alignment, the chapters reveal how linguistic behavior reflects broader cultural values and social expectations. Bringing together leading scholars and experienced practitioners ** in the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and cultural studies, the volume offers a rich interdisciplinary perspective on Persian interactional norms. It investigates both everyday exchanges and institutional discourse, highlighting the dynamic interplay between language, identity, and power. By situating Persian politeness phenomena within a global framework, the book challenges Western-centric models and contributes to a more inclusive understanding of linguistic etiquette and interpersonal communication. It is an essential resource for scholars, educators, and students in the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, and cultural linguistics, in particular those interested in the politeness features of non-Western languages and the cultural dimensions of discourse.

Provides a groundbreaking analysis of Persian politeness and impoliteness Covers pragmatic and stylistic features of (im) politeness in Persian communication Is a must-read for researchers and students of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, cultural linguistics, and anthropology

Autorentext

Mohammad Hossein Keshavarz is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of ELT Department at Girne American University in North Cyprus. He holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and TEFL from Ohio University, USA, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Wales, UK. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals, including Pragmatics and Society, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Language in Society, International Journal of Bilingualism, Contrastive Pragmatics, WORD, English for Academic Purposes, Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, Communication Disorders Quarterly, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, Reading in a Foreign Language, Educational Research, and TESOL Journal. He has also authored or co-authored over twenty academic books in English. His recently published books include: The Handbook of Persian Carpets: Cultural and Semiotic Perspectives (Springer Nature, 2025), Trends in Persian Language, Literature, and Pedagogy (Springer Nature, 2025), A New Analytical Model of Cultural Linguistics (Cambridge Scholars, 2023), and Parse Two-Volume Bilingual Dictionary (Rahnama Press, 2023). His research interests span Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Cultural Linguistics, First and Second Language Acquisition, and Semiotics.

Inhalt

Politeness and Impoliteness: With Special Emphasis on Persian.- Native Persian Speakers' Perceptions of Impoliteness of Requestive Speech Act: A Cross-generational Perspective.- A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Politeness in Iranian Human-AI Interaction: A Culturally Situated Approach to Politeness.- Teaching 'Conduct' and 'Etiquette' Politeness by Non-native Persian Teachers: A Qualitative Study.- Navigating Politeness in Persian WhatsApp Messages: Insights from Applied Linguistics Discourse Community.- The use of directive speech acts in Persian with emphasis on gender and exposure to English.- Inclusive Pronoun Meshma in the Sistani Dialect of Persian as a Pragmatic Indicator of Politeness.- A Semio-Cultural Exploration of Politeness and Social Dynamics in About Elly.- A Comparative Study of Suggestion Strategies in Persian and English: Evidence from Two Movies.- Over-politeness among the New Generation of Iranian Youth: Ta'rof and Rudarbyesti in Focus.- Cinematic Impoliteness in Marginalized Persian Families: A Cultural Linguistics and Pragmatic Analysis.- Politeness Markers in Persian Requests: A Pragmatic Analysis.- Exploring Face-Threatening Acts and (Im)politeness in Persian Discourse: A Study in Tehran.