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STRATEGIC MODEL OF ADDRESS 427

providing a sociolinguistic reference point These representative conversational strate-
for the hearer. Informants report mistrusting gies are part of a much larger set. Relevant
long-term use of this tactic, as it is unclear theoretical advancements in sociolinguistic
whether the speaker wishes to maintain dis- inquiry, the underpinnings of these strategies,
tance or feels offended. Their response may will be laid out in the identity management
be to avoid contact with such speakers or, in layer of the model (in preparation). For
extreme cases, call attention to the apparent instance, Goffman’s (1974) and Tannen’s
slight. On the other hand, exclusive use of the (1993) work on framing provides an analytical
Zero Form may not always be noticed imme- tool for understanding the ways address can
diately, as conversationalists commonly both frame a situation (on the negotiated plane)
intersperse it with other V-forms to ‘lighten’ or be framed by it (on the conventionalized
the conversation and avoid sounding stilted. plane; see Gumperz (1982a) for a discussion
The continual insistence on titles can be of contextualization cues). Wood and Kroger
interpreted as either excessive politeness or (1994) examine discourse perspectives of face-
conflictive, as the following actual service work. Giles et al. (1991) demonstrate how
encounter demonstrates: speakers subconsciously adjust their linguistic
behavior to be more similar or different to
Good morning, senhora
those of a particular group, while LePage and
doutora. [response]
Tabouret-Keller (1985) consider this accom-
How are you, senhora
modation as an identity creation strategy.
doutora? [response]
Leung (2002: 15) presents an excellent
Can I help you, senhora
overview of the various theoretical perspec-
doutora? [response]
tives that have addressed conflict talk. These
I’ll see what I can do,
are but a few of the avenues being pursued.
senhora doutora. [response], etc.
Thus, even a form seemingly unproblematic
due to its apparent neutrality, can be used to
achieve various conversational goals: to allow THE APPLICATION OF THE MODEL TO
time for relationship assessment, to ‘lighten’ OTHER LANGUAGES
a conversation by not drawing attention to
relative status (a technique which can be Researchers of languages with a much simpler
viewed as promoting cooperation), or to avoid pronoun system than that used in Portuguese
giving respect (a means through which one may naturally question the benefits of consid-
can create or promote conflict). ering a model as elaborate as the one pre-
Addressing strategies to avoid conflict are sented here, believing that the degree of
more difficult to summarize, since they seem precision is unnecessarily fine for the data
to vary according to the type of relationship the they are analyzing. However, the mere exis-
speakers share. If the relationship is a close tence of a precise instrument of analysis might
one, the speakers may avoid conflict by choos- better serve to encourage researchers to con-
ing reciprocal forms of address to emphasize sider whether the communicative complexity
the commonality of experience, situation, which is expressed in Portuguese through
mood, or the like. However, if the speakers are the pronoun system exists in other languages
not particularly close, or if there is great status but is expressed through other mechanisms.
differential between them, a speaker may Anecdotal data suggests that speakers use
choose forms whose conventionalized meanings vocatives to ‘fine tune’ the interaction along a
denote greater deference. Alternatively, speakers particular track. Vocatives which may be
may resist perceived attempts to renegotiate used to promote cooperation include such
the address form pattern due to increasing forms as ‘colleague’, terms of endearment
distance in the relationship. (used even with strangers, as in department