Politeness and Speech Acts in Digital Space: Analyzing the Interactions of Iranian Users on Instagram and X (Twitter)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of English Language Teaching, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran

2 Young Researchers and Elite Club, Islamic Azad University of Ilam

3 Master's degree in Geography and Urban Planning, Razi University

Abstract

The aim is to understand how language is employed for communicative acts (such as requests, apologies, criticisms, and activism) within Iran’s digital environment, considering cultural restrictions and censorship. The research adopts a qualitative discourse analysis approach, focusing on interactive user samples. Data were collected from 200 public examples between March and November 2024, using purposive sampling. The analysis was carried out in three stages, utilizing the frameworks of Searle (types of speech acts) and Brown and Levinson (politeness strategies): first, identifying and categorizing speech acts; second, analyzing linguistic strategies (direct and indirect) and politeness components; and third, interpreting the discourses within their cultural and technological contexts. Findings reveal that Iranian users predominantly employ indirect strategies (72–81%) for requests and criticisms, along with a blend of positive and negative politeness, influenced by concepts such as “saving face” and “courtesy.” Significant differences emerged between Instagram, which emphasizes visual content and social relations, and X, which is more text-based and news-oriented. On Instagram, emotional speech acts and politeness is more frequently observed, whereas X focuses more on assertive acts and more explicit criticisms. Moreover, these platforms play vital roles in fostering social-political activism and expressing user identities.

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References

 
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