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Friday, December 10, 2010

Direct and Indirect Requests

There exists an indirect way of forming propositions in any language because speakers will likely want to convey information while allowing for plausible means of denial without any adverse reaction.

Use of direct versus indirect speech tends to be influenced by:

- Gender: Men tend to be more direct, women indirect
- Culture: In certain cultures, such as Japanese language and culture, people tend to be more indirect in making requests or asking for favors. In certain other cultures, people may tend to make more direct requests.
- Rank/Status: Individuals of a lower status tend to form indirect questions to someone of a higher rank. Likewise, those in a higher position may tend to be more direct to those in a lower rank.
- Level of familiarity: Direct language is more often used when in the company of a close acquaintance; indirect language is used when among strangers.

Here are a few examples of direct vs. indirect ways of coneying the same information (In all examples, the asker is assuming that the person he is speaking is able to help them):


Example 1:

Direct: "Where is the bathroom?"

Indirect: "Do you know where the bathroom is?"

[Information being conveyed: The asker needs to find a bathroom.]

Example 2:

Direct: "Can you please let me in the door?"

Indirect: "Do you have the key to the door?"

[Information being conveyed: Asker, who does not have a key, needs to be let in the door.]

Example 3:

Direct: "Can you please close the door?"

Indirect: "It's very noisy outside."

[Information being conveyed: Asker wants silence, and because it is noisy outside the door she wants the door to be shut.]

In all cases, the direct and indirect versions of making a request convey the same information.

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