A Diplomatic Discourse Dive: Unpacking Russell Pearson’s Intriguing Interview Podcast

Haida Umiera Hashim and Nur Alya Batrisyia Mohammad Naguib
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Haida Umiera Hashim: Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Nur Alya Batrisyia Mohammad Naguib: Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2025, vol. 9, issue 3, 823-835

Abstract: It is crucial to establish and preserve polite language during a broadcast interview. Being linguistically polite means committing to a socially appropriate action that avoids threatening other people’s feelings or face. However, using too much hedging language when giving speeches may cause a slight damage to speakers’ credibility by making them seem hesitant. This study will look at the politeness principle by Leech (1983) in a business-related podcast interview entitled From Business Recovery to Growth by Russell Pearson retrieved from the BFM: Raise Your Game. Leech’s politeness principle is expressed as the following: in its negative form, “minimise (other things being equal) the display of impolite views,†and in its positive version, “maximise (other things being equal) the expression of polite beliefs.†There are six types of maxims which are tact, generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement, and sympathy maxim. Hence, the objectives of the study may be broken down into two categories which are 1) to identify hedges and classify them into the the six types of maxim and 2) to analyse the maxims as a politeness strategy used by Russell Pearson in the podcast interview From Business Recovery to Growth according to the politeness principle proposed by Leech (1983). This study will employ a qualitative method with descriptive qualitative approach to identify and categorise the maxims selected from the podcast interview into the various six categories of maxims proposed by Leech (1983). The data analysis procedure used for this research will be naturalistic observation where all maxims will be identified, classified and reviewed for confirmation. This study will contribute to the existing studies of the politeness principle by offering a proven, comprehensive guidance for language learners to choose efficient and polite language to attain pragmatic competence and enhance the effectiveness of verbal marketing efforts.

Date: 2025
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