Positive Politeness in “James Corden on Final Week of the Late Late Show” Video

This research analyzed positive politeness strategies using Brown & Levinson (1987) theory in the video "James Corden on Final Week of The Late Late Show." A descriptive qualitative method and Sugiyono (2013) observational approach was employed. The researcher followed a systematic process that included watching the video, identifying positive politeness utterances, and categorizing them based on the 15 strategies proposed by Brown & Levinson. The analysis revealed a total of 27 instances of positive politeness. The fifth strategy, seeking agreement, was the most frequently observed, appearing 14 times. This strategy often involved responses that affirmed or agreed with the speaker's statements, contributing to a harmonious and cooperative interaction. Other identified strategies included exaggerating (found once), intensifying interest to the hearer (found twice), avoiding disagreement (found four times), presupposing or raising or asserting (found four times), and joking (found twice). Exaggeration was seen when Jimmy enthusiastically responded "Absolutely" instead of a simple "yes." Intensifying interest was demonstrated through James's father's captivating storytelling, which engaged Jimmy's curiosity. Avoiding disagreement was evident when James chose a vague response to Jimmy's comment about his middle name. Presupposing, raising, or asserting was used by James with filler words like "you know" to create a sense of shared understanding. Joking was exemplified by Jimmy's humorous introduction to James, which entertained the audience. The remaining nine strategies from Brown & Levinson's framework were not observed in the data. This study provides insights into the use of positive politeness in media discourse, highlighting the practical applications of these strategies in maintaining positive social interactions.