Politeness in Courtroom Language from a Linguistic Perspective
摘要
Politeness, as defined by The Oxford English Dictionary, encompasses courtesy, good manners, and respectful behavior towards others. In the realm of language, politeness can be understood as efforts to uphold each other’s dignity during interactions (Brown and Levinson in Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987 [9]). However, courtroom proceedings differ significantly from everyday conversations due to the institutional nature of the setting. Therefore, politeness within the courtroom necessitates a solemn atmosphere where all parties are expected to maintain a respectful demeanor. This includes judges, prosecuting officers, counsels, witnesses, and the accused, who must adhere to professional courtesy when communicating during court proceedings. In the examination of witnesses, there are specific regulations that govern the manner in which questioning takes place. The court strictly prohibits offensive tactics aimed at insulting or annoying any of the parties involved. Additionally, counsels are held to a high standard of ethical conduct throughout the trial.