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Intentionality and Impoliteness Strategies in Readers' Responses to Posts on OMAM's Facebook Page

Yetunde Olushola Bale
Department of English and Literary Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

This paper examines the connection between impoliteness strategies and intentionality in readers' responses to posts on “Once a Mum always a Mum” (OMAM) is a private group on Facebook for women. This study examines impoliteness strategies employed in readers' responses to posts on OMAM's Facebook forum and the way they are used to reflect the intentions of the readers. Fifty readers' responses to three posts on OMAM's Facebook page are purposively selected and analysed using Culpeper's (1996, 2011) impoliteness strategies and intentionality as theoretical framework. This research finds that four impoliteness strategies are employed: bald on record impoliteness, positive impoliteness, negative impoliteness and sarcasm or mock impoliteness in readers' responses to three posts on OMAM. Negative impoliteness strategies feature the most, while withhold impoliteness did not feature. The study also reveals that respondents use impoliteness strategies with the intention of correcting, advising or rebuking rather than hurting or offending a poster. Impoliteness strategies are used to communicate what readers consider as the best view, opinion or advice in establishing intimacy with unknown persons on the group's Facebook forum.