Page 450 - The ISA Handbook in Contemporary Sociology

9781412934633-Chap-28 1/10/09 8:58 AM Page 421

STRATEGIC MODEL OF ADDRESS 421

corresponding to the pronoun voceˆ, but the change through address. At this stage, both
pronoun itself is not expressed. It is referred T- and V-forms are possible, as is reciprocal
to as the ‘zero form’ (a grammatical refer- and non-reciprocal address.
ence) in recognition of the lack of pronoun, Once a speaker feels that the address forms
or the ‘avoidance tactic’ (a reference to strat- being exchanged no longer adequately repre-
egy), since its neutral interpretation makes it sent the developing relationship between the
the ideal choice for speakers unsure of the two, she may make use of one or more strate-
appropriate form to use. With this ‘tactic’, gies of negotiation, thus instigating a move
they can temporarily avoid defining their from conventionalized to negotiated usage. If
relationship with the other. This gives them the strategy is unsuccessful – that is, if the
time to evaluate the relationship and to hear other speaker does not feel greater affinity or
how they are addressed by the other. Further wish to acknowledge it through address, con-
explanation of the categories and the forms ventionalized usage continues. If, on the other
can be found in de Oliveira (2005, revised hand, the strategy is successful, the speakers
from 1994). In the third column are the con- effectively move the conventionalized pat-
ventionalized semantic features associated terns, determined by societal norms, into the
with each form, which appear in square background, while highlighting the individual
brackets according to conventions adopted relationship they have or seek. Once a new
from phonology. The plus and minus signs pattern has been negotiated, a pool of
indicate the presence or absence of the fea- unmarked negotiated forms is established (a
ture; for example, [−Formal] indicates a lack combination of pronominal and nominal
of formality associated with this form’s use forms). Speakers may renegotiate the address
in conventionalized exchanges. form one or more times, a process taking
When adults make initial contact (Stage 1 place in the negotiated plane. Temporary
of a relationship), conventionalized notions shifts in usage (marked negotiated usage)
of politeness apply. In many cultures V-forms may occur for a variety of reasons, such as
(pronominal and/or nominal) are required. anger or conversational goals.
Unmarked conventionalized usage tends to Additionally, a factor external to the rela-
maximize the possibilities for cooperation tionship can result in a temporary shift to a
and minimize conflict with the hearer, pre- conventionalized form; this may be due to the
cisely because the speaker is following soci- demands of protocol and/or the presence of
etal expectations. However, address need not certain other people. When this happens, the
be reciprocal, even when a V-form is used, socially conventionalized plane is superim-
since the categorization of forms is done on posed, in a sense, on the negotiated plane.
the basis of the grammatical relationship When speakers decide that the reason for the
(pronoun/verb) and not on the semantic change no longer exists, they resume use of
interpretation. Thus, V-forms exist in several their unmarked negotiated forms. Apparently
categories of varying degrees of (convention- speakers have a number of behavioral rules in
alized) formality. The form selected as con- their heads: for instance, they know the prag-
ventionally appropriate serves as the matic rules governing protocol (and the situa-
reference point for future negotiation. While tions requiring it); they recall the form(s) last
speakers may negotiate a different address used (even after a period of months or years),
form during their first contact, with a strategy and they know which third parties, when
such as ‘Please, that sounds so formal’, present, will affect their sociolinguistic choice.
often this is left to a subsequent encounter. The two planes of interaction, conventional-
In fact, each successive encounter offers the ized and negotiated, and the distinctions
opportunity to (re)negotiate address change. In between unmarked and marked forms repre-
Stage 2, the speakers sense that a relationship sent the top layer of the model (the forms
is growing and consider signaling that themselves).