The Politeness Strategies Utilised by the Hargreeves Siblings: a Close Linguistic Study of Netflix's The Umbrella Academy

Karimzadeh, Arezu (2023) The Politeness Strategies Utilised by the Hargreeves Siblings: a Close Linguistic Study of Netflix's The Umbrella Academy. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Linguistic analysis of television can grant insight on several aspects of said pieces. In particular, this study aims to investigate the politeness strategies and factors evident amongst the Hargreeves siblings in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the research used a theoretical framework based on Brown and Levinson's Politeness Theory (1978) to identify features of linguistic politeness strategies that were present in conversations between the Hargreeves siblings. Moreover, the show was examined even further to identify politeness factors. Results of the study showed that the Hargreeves used positive, off-record, and bald-on politeness the most with each other in order to build solidarity, communicate with minimal confusion, and avoid imposition. Additionally, social distance, relative power, and payoff were the factors that impacted their politeness amongst each other the most due to their close bond as siblings, and their need to benefit off of each other. The study has implications on the nature of sibling communication, as well as the importance of linguistics in television writing. Key words: Linguistics, The Umbrella Academy, interpersonal relationships, sibling dynamics, communication, politeness, politeness theory, politeness strategies, politeness factors, facework, face threatening acts, positive politeness, negative politeness, off-record politeness, bald-on politeness, social distance, relative power, payoff, rank of imposition