Formulaic Thought and Expression in Linguistic Politeness

Abstract

Formulaic expressions constitute a heterogeneous category, in that some exhibit robust re-combinatory potential through modifiable and re-useable internal compositionality. Subcategories of linguistic politeness and impoliteness items, which are generally formulaic, are analyzed with respect to subcategories that exhibit more rigidity as formulaic expressions than is entailed by merely being formulaic. A classification scheme is used within which it is argued that a closed-class category may be identified, and within which non-compositional expression categories may also be noted. These, it is suggested, are strong candidate subcategories within the heterogeneous category of formulaic expressions, for exhibiting holism.