Overview

This ground-breaking book offers an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted nature of politeness and impoliteness in Persian, shedding light on how these communicative strategies are deeply woven into the sociocultural fabric of Iranian society. Anchored in rigorous scholarship, it examines the ways in which Persian speakers manage face, navigate social hierarchies, and express solidarity or dissent through language. From the ritualized and often paradoxical practice of ta’ārof to subtle pragmatic cues that signal respect, resistance, or relational alignment, the chapters reveal how linguistic behavior reflects broader cultural values and social expectations. Bringing together leading scholars and experienced practitioners in the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, and cultural studies, the volume offers a rich interdisciplinary perspective on Persian interactional norms. It investigates both everyday exchanges and institutional discourse, highlighting the dynamic interplay between language, identity, and power. By situating Persian politeness phenomena within a global framework, the book challenges Western-centric models and contributes to a more inclusive understanding of linguistic etiquette and interpersonal communication. It is an essential resource for scholars, educators, and students in the fields of pragmatics, sociolinguistics, anthropology, and cultural linguistics, in particular those interested in the politeness features of non-Western languages and the cultural dimensions of discourse.

Full Product Details

Author:   Mohammad Hossein Keshavarz
Publisher:   Springer Verlag, Singapore
Imprint:   Springer Verlag, Singapore
ISBN:  

9789819545926

ISBN 10:   9819545927
Pages:   440
Publication Date:   17 May 2026
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Politeness and Impoliteness: With Special Emphasis on Persian.- Native Persian Speakers' Perceptions of Impoliteness of Requestive Speech Act: A Cross-generational Perspective.- A Mixed-Methods Investigation of Politeness in Iranian Human-AI Interaction: A Culturally Situated Approach to Politeness.- Teaching ‘Conduct’ and ‘Etiquette’ Politeness by Non-native Persian Teachers: A Qualitative Study.- Navigating Politeness in Persian WhatsApp Messages: Insights from Applied Linguistics Discourse Community.- The use of directive speech acts in Persian with emphasis on gender and exposure to English.- Inclusive Pronoun Meshma in the Sistani Dialect of Persian as a Pragmatic Indicator of Politeness.- A Semio-Cultural Exploration of Politeness and Social Dynamics in About Elly.- A Comparative Study of Suggestion Strategies in Persian and English: Evidence from Two Movies.- Over-politeness among the New Generation of Iranian Youth: “Ta’ārof” and “Rudarbāyesti” in Focus.- Cinematic Impoliteness in Marginalized Persian Families: A Cultural Linguistics and Pragmatic Analysis.- Politeness Markers in Persian Requests: A Pragmatic Analysis.- Exploring Face-Threatening Acts and (Im)politeness in Persian Discourse: A Study in Tehran.

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Author Information

Mohammad Hossein Keshavarz is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Head of ELT Department at Girne American University in North Cyprus. He holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and TEFL from Ohio University, USA, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Wales, UK. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals, including Pragmatics and Society, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Language in Society, International Journal of Bilingualism, Contrastive Pragmatics, WORD, English for Academic Purposes, Journal of Psycholinguistic Research, Communication Disorders Quarterly, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, Reading in a Foreign Language, Educational Research, and TESOL Journal. He has also authored or co-authored over twenty academic books in English. His recently published books include: The Handbook of Persian Carpets: Cultural and Semiotic Perspectives (Springer Nature, 2025), Trends in Persian Language, Literature, and Pedagogy (Springer Nature, 2025), A New Analytical Model of Cultural Linguistics (Cambridge Scholars, 2023), and Parse Two-Volume Bilingual Dictionary (Rahnama Press, 2023). His research interests span Sociolinguistics, Pragmatics, Cultural Linguistics, First and Second Language Acquisition, and Semiotics.    

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