Power and Politeness in the Workplace

Janet Holmes is Professor of Linguistics, Victoria University of Wellington. Her many publications include `An Introduction to Sociolinguistics' (2nd edition 2001), `Women, Men and Politeness' (1995) and an edited book 'Gendered Speech in Social Context' (Victoria University Press, 2000). Maria Stubbe is Research Fellow in Linguistics, Victoria University of Wellington. She has published articles in the areas of language and gender, New Zealand English and workplace discourse.

1. POWER, POLITENESS AND THE WORKPLACE CONTEXT
Power, politeness and context
Power
Politeness
Context
The Wellington Language in the Workplace Project
Brief Outline of content of the book
Notes

2. FROM OFFICE TO PRODUCTION LINE: CONSTRUCTING A CORPUS OF WORKPLACE DATA
Designing a Method of Collecting Workplace Data
Collecting the Data
Conclusion
Notes

3. GETTING THINGS DONE AT WORK
Being Direct Downwards
Mitigation and Management Between Equals
Getting the Boss to Cooperate - requests and indirectives
Hints
Conclusion
Notes

4. WORKPLACE MEETINGS
Introduction
Types of Meetings
How are Meetings Structured?
Managing Interaction in Meetings
Doing Power and Politeness in Meetings: 2 case studies
Conclusion
Notes

5. SMALL TALK AND SOCIAL CHAT AT WORK
The Distribution of Social Talk in the Workplace
Social Functions of non-task orientated talk at Work
Conclusion
Notes

6. HUMOUR IN THE WORKPLACE
Functions of Humour in the Workplace
Humour and Workplace Culture
Conclusion
Notes

7. MISCOMMUNICATION AND PROBLEMATIC TALK AT WORK
Miscommunication
Negotiating with the Boss
Negotiating 'downwards'
Problems, Power and Partnership
Conclusion
Notes

8. CONCLUSION: SOME IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Introduction
Getting integrated at work
Reflection as a Learning Strategy for the Workplace
Conclusion
Notes