Linguistic patterns to make counterarguments of Threatening the Positive Face of Listeners of Social Media Users

Abstract

Counterarguments are an act that threatens the positive face of listeners. Language users in Thai society are aware of this matter. This research focused on linguistic patterns to make counterarguments on Facebook because it is a public platform on which opinions are extensively exchanged and shared among strangers. This study aimed to analyze linguistic patterns when the speaker would like to make counterarguments against others and investigate these linguistic patterns as awareness indicators of threatening the face of others. The study revealed four linguistic patterns: 1) starting with direct disagreement indicators, 2) starting with vulgar invectives, 3) using direct disagreement messages without an introductory statement, and 4) using question final particles.

          Based on the linguistic patterns, language users were aware that making a counterargument is an act of threatening the face and reflects an attempt to sound polite. In other words, the speakers tried to tone down the threat by using honorific particles. However, the counterarguments were still direct and did not diminish the level of face threatening to listeners. It is noted that this kind of communication has long been remarkable nature on social media.